Appeals Court Reduces Former South Korean PM's Sentence in Martial Law Case

The South Korean appeal court reduced former PM Han Duck-soo's jail sentence from 23 to 15 years for involvement in ex-President Yoon's brief martial law imposition. Han was accused of facilitating martial law procedures, fabricating a presidential document, and perjury. He denied wrongdoing except perjury and plans to appeal again.

A South Korean appeals court has reduced the jail term of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 15 years, down from the initial 23 years, for his involvement in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's temporary martial law declaration in 2024. The court affirmed that Han played a crucial role in facilitating the imposition of martial law but failed to deter Yoon.

Han, aged 76, was found guilty of organizing a cabinet meeting that advanced the legal steps for martial law. The judge dismissed Han's argument that the meeting aimed to obstruct Yoon's actions and highlighted Han's knowledge of plans to restrict utilities to certain media, which he did not prevent.

Despite Han's extensive public service career, the court found him guilty of document fabrication and perjury but noted that his direct involvement in Yoon's scheme wasn't firmly proven. Han, who has contested all charges except perjury, intends to appeal the reduced sentence. Meanwhile, Yoon faces a life sentence for leading the insurrection linked to martial law imposition.