A South Korean court has sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for assisting in the brief imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, found Han guilty of helping then-President Yoon Suk-yeol declare military rule in December 2024 and failing to convene a legitimate cabinet meeting. The 76-year-old former leader was ordered to be taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

Judge Lee stated that Han had shown extreme negligence in his duties as prime minister and that Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law aimed to undermine constitutional order, equating it to an act of rebellion. The judge warned that Han’s actions risked returning South Korea to a dark past when citizens’ basic rights and democratic systems were violated.

Han denied all charges, insisting that he never supported or assisted in the declaration of martial law.