Former Korean Prime Minister Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison

It will be interesting to see if President Lee considers a pardon for Han because a 23 year prison sentence that would see him spend the rest of his life in prison is harsh:

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (C) arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital on Jan. 21, 2026, to attend the sentencing hearing of his trial on insurrection charges. (Yonhap)

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison Wednesday for playing a key role in an insurrection by abetting former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law

The court said the former prime minister took part in the insurrection by proposing that Yoon convene a Cabinet meeting before declaring the decree.

Han did not voice his opposition to the declaration during the Cabinet meeting and appeared to have encouraged then Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to execute Yoon’s orders to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the administration, it said.

“The defendant had a duty as a prime minister indirectly given democratic legitimacy and the responsibility for it to follow the Constitution and laws and make every effort to realize and defend the Constitution,” the judge said during the sentencing hearing, which was televised live.

“Even so, he neglected this duty and responsibility until the end, thinking the Dec. 3 insurrection might succeed, and chose to take part as a member,” he added.

Yonhap

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