Han Duck‑soo and Special Counsel File Appeals Against 23‑Year Insurrection Sentence
Updated (10 articles)
Sentencing Marks First Cabinet Conviction Over Martial‑Law Crisis On 21 January 2026 the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former prime minister Han Duck‑soo to 23 years in prison for abetting the Dec. 3 2024 martial‑law declaration, which the court defined as an insurrection. Han was found guilty of abetting the ringleader, perjury, and falsifying the proclamation, becoming the first Yoon‑era cabinet member jailed for the episode [2][3][4][5][7][8].
Court Labels Martial‑Law Decree a “Self‑Coup” and Increases Penalty The judgment described President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s emergency order as a “self‑coup,” rejecting the prosecutors’ 15‑year request and imposing a harsher 23‑year term. Charges included abetting the ringleader, playing a key role in the insurrection, and perjury for lying before the Constitutional Court [3][5][7][9].
Han Detained Over Evidence‑Destruction Risk; Appeal Set for Late February After sentencing, Han was placed in custody at the Seoul Detention Center to prevent possible tampering with evidence. His appeal, filed jointly with special counsel Cho Eun‑suk on 26 January 2026, will be heard by a newly created Seoul High Court division on 23 February 2026 [1][3][7].
Ruling Foreshadows Outcomes in Yoon’s Rebellion Trials The Han decision is expected to influence former President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s upcoming trial, where prosecutors have sought the death penalty and a verdict is scheduled for 19 February 2026. Yoon currently faces eight criminal cases, including a separate five‑year sentence for defying detention attempts [2][4][7][9].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Former Prime Minister Han Appeals 23‑Year Insurrection Sentence: Details the joint appeal filed by Han and special counsel Cho, the new high‑court division, and custody concerns .
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CNN: South Korea ex‑prime minister Han Duck‑soo jailed 23 years in rebellion case over martial law: Emphasizes the rebellion label, death‑penalty demand for Yoon, and Han’s acting‑president role .
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Yonhap: Ex‑PM Han Duck‑soo sentenced to 23 years for insurrection tied to martial law decree: Highlights Han’s proposal of a pre‑decree cabinet meeting and the court’s “self‑coup” language .
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AP: South Korea's former prime minister jailed for 23 years in martial law case: Focuses on the first rebellion conviction of a Yoon aide and broader democratic implications .
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Yonhap: Ex‑PM Han Duck‑soo sentenced to 23 years over insurrection role: Stresses the court’s view of the Dec. 3 decree as an insurrection and the sentence exceeding prosecutors’ request .
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Yonhap: Ex‑PM Han Duck‑soo sentenced to 23 years in prison for insurrection: Includes unrelated domestic news items, showing the sentencing amid broader political turbulence .
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Yonhap: Ex‑PM Han Duck‑soo sentenced to 23 years for insurrection tied to martial law decree: Provides a concise account of the conviction and its potential impact on Yoon’s trial .
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Yonhap: Ex‑PM Han Duck‑soo sentenced to 23 years for insurrection role: Notes prosecutors’ 15‑year request and Han’s attendance at the sentencing hearing .
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Yonhap: Court to deliver verdict on ex‑PM Han in insurrection case: Pre‑verdict report outlining charges, Han’s denial of knowledge, and the Feb 19 verdict deadline .
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Yonhap: Seoul court approves live broadcast of Han Duck‑soo sentencing in insurrection case: Announces live broadcast of the sentencing, linking the case to other high‑profile investigations .
Timeline
Dec 3, 2024 – President Yoon Suk‑yeol issues a martial‑law decree, dispatching troops and police to the National Assembly and election offices; the court later labels the move a “self‑coup” and an insurrection that threatens constitutional order[1][7].
Early 2025 – The martial‑law episode triggers Yoon’s impeachment and removal; caretaker Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo assumes the acting presidency during the crisis[1].
June 2025 – A snap parliamentary election follows Yoon’s ouster; Han resigns as caretaker prime minister to run, then withdraws after failing to secure a party nomination[2].
July 2025 – Former President Yoon Suk‑yeol is taken into custody, beginning a series of eight criminal trials, including a rebellion case over the martial‑law decree[1].
Jan 19, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court approves a live broadcast of Han Duck‑soo’s sentencing, the second televised sentencing among the Yoon‑related special‑counsel cases[10].
Jan 20, 2026 – The court sets Feb 19, 2026 for the verdict on Han’s insurrection case; Han maintains he had “no prior knowledge beyond the declaration” and denies aiding the decree[9].
Jan 21, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court sentences former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo to 23 years in prison for abetting the Dec 3, 2024 insurrection, exceeding the prosecutors’ 15‑year request and ordering custody to prevent evidence destruction[4][5].
Jan 22, 2026 – The court characterizes the martial‑law dispatch as a “riot or self‑coup” aimed at undermining constitutional stability, signaling further prosecutions of Yoon’s associates[1].
Jan 26, 2026 – Han and special counsel Cho Eun‑suk file appeals against the 23‑year sentence; the appeal will be heard by a newly created Seoul High Court division beginning Feb 23, 2026[3].
Feb 19, 2026 – Verdict is scheduled in former President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s rebellion trial, where the independent counsel seeks the death penalty; the outcome is expected to influence Han’s appeal proceedings[4][9].
Feb 23, 2026 – The appeal hearing for Han Duck‑soo commences before the Seoul High Court division established for cases tied to Yoon’s martial‑law bid[3].