SEOUL, South Korea — A former South Korean prime minister will serve less time behind bars after an appeals court cut his prison term for participating in a failed martial law plot last year.
Han Duck-soo, who previously served as prime minister under ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, saw his sentence reduced from 23 years to 15 years on Thursday by the Seoul High Court. The 76-year-old was originally convicted in January for his role in the December 2024 martial law crisis that ultimately led to Yoon’s removal from office.
The appeals court maintained most of Han’s rebellion convictions while shortening his punishment. Judges found he helped make Yoon’s unlawful martial law declaration appear legitimate by securing Cabinet approval and participating in schemes to shut off utilities to news organizations. Additional convictions for document forgery, destruction of evidence, and perjury were also upheld.
“Criminal liabilities are very grave” because Han “abandoned his immense responsibilities” as the second-highest official in Yoon’s government and joined the rebellion, the Seoul High Court stated in its ruling.
Legal expert Park SungBae, who focuses on criminal law matters, noted that both trial and appeals courts treated Han’s charges as extremely serious. However, Park explained the appeals court likely found a 15-year term more fitting when compared to sentences given to other participants, such as Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who received seven years.
During the original trial, prosecutors had actually requested the 15-year sentence that Han ultimately received on appeal. Park observed that while the initial 23-year term exceeded expectations, it remained within typical sentencing ranges for such offenses.
Both Han’s defense team and prosecutors now have one week to challenge Thursday’s decision before South Korea’s Supreme Court.
Han built a four-decade career in government service, holding the prime minister position twice — first under liberal President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007 to 2008, then again under conservative Yoon. Following Yoon’s suspension over the martial law attempt, Han became one of three officials who served as interim leaders.
Lawmakers eventually impeached Yoon before the Constitutional Court officially removed him from the presidency in April. Liberal politician Lee Jae Myung won a special election to replace him, while Yoon received a life sentence for his central role in the rebellion.
