South Korean Former PM Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Role in Political Crisis

The Seoul Central District Court in South Korea has sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo to 23 years in prison for his involvement in a political crisis on December 3, 2024. The 76-year-old Han was convicted of charges including insurrection, perjury, and falsifying documents during a martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The court emphasized that Han played a pivotal role in facilitating the chaotic hours of the crisis, which aimed to cling to power through illegitimate means. Han's sentencing is seen as a stern rebuke to those who betray public trust and attempt to return the nation to a dark past of dictatorship.

The court's decision to hand down a 23-year term, longer than the 15 years requested by prosecutors, underscores the gravity of Han's actions and the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law.