Politics South Korea's former prime minister sentenced to 23 years in prison
South Korea's former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his key role in a coup d'état in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found that Han supported then President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law.
21.01.2026, 08:43
SDA
At 23 years, the sentence in the first instance was significantly higher than the 15 years' imprisonment demanded by the public prosecutor's office. Han will "humbly accept" the decision, said the 76-year-old according to the South Korean television station TV Chosun.
Prosecution demands death penalty for ex-President Yoon
On December 3, 2024, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly declared martial law in the course of a budget dispute with the opposition. The conservative politician justified the radical measure with the protection of South Korea's liberal order. He also accused the left-wing opposition of being infiltrated by communists with links to China and North Korea. Yoon did not provide any evidence for his accusations.
The public prosecutor's office is demanding the death penalty for Yoon on suspicion of sedition. A verdict is scheduled for February 19. Although the death penalty is still imposed in South Korea, it has not been carried out for almost 30 years.
Since the summer, South Korea has been ruled by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-of-center politician and long-time political rival of Yoon.
