Seoul High Court cuts former Prime Minister's jail term to 15 years. The appellate court has revised the sentence for ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, sentencing him to 15 years in prison. This follows his initial conviction and 23-year sentence for his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid.
The special counsel team, which had sought a 23-year sentence in the appeal, will likely scrutinize the revised ruling. In the initial appeal hearing, the counsel had pushed to overturn acquittals on certain charges, aiming to uphold the harsher penalty.
The appeals court's decision represents a significant shift from the initial 23-year sentence handed down by the Seoul Central District Court in January 2026. Han had been found guilty of charges including creating false documents, destroying presidential records, and perjury during Yoon's impeachment proceedings.
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The appellate trial, which was broadcast live, focused on Han's alleged complicity in Yoon's attempt to impose martial law in December 2025. Han, who served as acting president after Yoon's impeachment, has consistently denied the charges, claiming he has no recollection of key events and that he opposed the martial law declaration due to its potential economic and international repercussions.
Han's legal team had previously highlighted his age and his wife's poor health during proceedings. His defense argued that while Han regretted not opposing Yoon more forcefully, this did not equate to abetting the martial law attempt.
The martial law crisis began following Yoon's impeachment. Han became acting president but was subsequently impeached himself on accusations of aiding Yoon's martial law declaration. While the Constitutional Court overturned Han's impeachment, restoring his powers temporarily, he eventually resigned to run in a snap election.
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Han Duck-soo is described as an experienced technocrat who has held senior positions under five different presidents. The legal process surrounding the martial law bid has been a prominent, high-profile case attracting significant public interest, leading to the decision to broadcast the appellate trial.
