The Central District Court of Seoul issued a verdict on January 21, sentencing Han Dok Soo, who previously served as Prime Minister of South Korea, to 23 years in prison. According to DW, the judge found him responsible for implementing martial law in the country in 2024, despite the prosecution only seeking a 15-year prison sentence.
The court established that Han Dok Soo played a "key role" in legitimizing President Yoon Suk Yeol's decree on the introduction of martial law, which was approved at a cabinet meeting. Additionally, the former prime minister was found guilty of falsifying and destroying this decree, as well as giving false testimony during the impeachment trial of the president, claiming that he was not aware of the introduction of martial law.
During the court hearings, Han also claimed that he expressed his disagreement with the introduction of martial law to the former president. Nevertheless, the court concluded that he neglected his duties to protect the constitution and participated in an attempted coup, hoping for its success. The politician has the right to appeal the court's decision.
It is worth noting that on January 16, the Central District Court of Seoul sentenced Yoon Suk Yeol, the former president of South Korea, to five years in prison on a number of charges related to his attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. He was found guilty of falsifying official documents and violating established legal procedures necessary for the introduction of martial law.
This verdict was the first in a series of criminal cases against Yoon related to his unsuccessful attempt to establish martial law. In one of the remaining cases, the former president is accused of organizing a coup, with a verdict in this case expected in February.
The political crisis in South Korea at the end of 2024
December 2024 was marked by a political crisis in South Korea when Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly announced the introduction of martial law, citing "anti-state activities" from the opposition. This occurred against the backdrop of disputes over the state budget.
The country's parliament refused to approve this decision, and the next morning the president was forced to revoke it. On December 14, lawmakers announced the impeachment of Yoon, and Han Dok Soo became the acting president. In early April 2025, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment decision.
On January 15, Yoon was arrested for the second time, as the first attempt was thwarted by his security detail. The court initially ordered the arrest of the former president, but he was released from custody on March 8 at the request of the defense. In July, Yoon was detained again.
