South Korean Court Jails Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo 23 Years for Insurrection in Failed Martial Law Self-Coup

A Seoul court on Jan. 21, 2026 sentenced former prime minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison after finding he played a central role in the December 3, 2024 martial-law episode that judges characterized as an insurrection.

“A South Korean court has ruled the 2024 imposition of martial law by then President Yoon Suk Yeol constituted an act of rebellion as it sentenced his prime minister to 23 years in prison for his involvement SEOUL, South Korea --A South Korean court ruled Wednesday that the 2024 imposition ofmartial lawby then President Yoon Suk Yeol constituted an act of rebellion as it sentenced his prime minister to 23 years in prison for his involvement”

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The Seoul Central District Court ordered Han detained immediately after the verdict, marking the first lower-court conviction of a Yoon-era cabinet member and the first judicial finding that the martial-law declaration amounted to an insurrection.

ABC News

The judge described the episode in stern terms, using phrases like 'top-down insurrection' and warning that Han had turned a blind eye to his democratic duties.

Several outlets cited the court's concern that Han might destroy evidence if released.

The court convicted Han on multiple counts.

Those counts included aiding and abetting insurrection by helping manufacture the appearance of a lawful cabinet meeting that enabled the decree; falsifying or ordering destruction of a retroactive martial-law proclamation; and lying under oath.

Al Jazeera

Judges cited evidence including a staged cabinet meeting, falsified documents, and perjury testimony that undercut Han's claims.

Prosecutors argued Han helped give procedural legitimacy to the decree.

Some sources note the court found he had discussed steps to paralyze institutions such as the National Assembly and the National Election Commission.

The 23-year sentence was significantly steeper than the 15 years prosecutors had sought, a point repeatedly highlighted across reports.

“A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in a failed attempt to impose martial law under the administration of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol”

AL24 News

Judges said they imposed a harsher term partly to deter future abuses and cited the gravity of a self-coup that threatened democratic institutions.

Several outlets noted it is uncommon for a court to exceed the prosecution's request, and some drew comparisons with past instances of executive overreach to justify the severity.

The verdict sits within a larger political and judicial reckoning.

Former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration was lifted after parliament rejected it.

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He was later removed from office.

Multiple Yoon-era officials face trials.

Some reports say the ruling could shape outcomes in Yoon’s pending trials.

In those trials, prosecutors have sought extreme penalties, including, according to several outlets, the death penalty.

The ruling also signals a broader demand for accountability over threats to democratic governance.

Han and his camp have denied most criminal allegations while acknowledging partial perjury in testimony.

“ByAsaba Metro NewsDesk Asaba Metro NewsDesk A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for insurrection and related charges stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December 2024”

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Several sources report Han said he privately opposed the declaration or was in psychological shock.

Awaz The Voice

His lawyers have said they will appeal the sentence to higher courts.

Judges stressed that Han, as prime minister with a constitutional duty to defend democratic procedures, failed those responsibilities.

Reporters across source types highlighted that contrast and noted potential ripple effects for other defendants and for public confidence in democratic safeguards.