SOUTH KOREAN former prime minister Han Duck Soo was sentenced today to 23 years in prison for insurrection.

Mr Han was found guilty of abetting disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December 2024 and of failing to hold a lawful cabinet meeting, as required by South Korean law.

Seoul Central District Court judge Lee Jin Gwan said Mr Han had “disregarded his duty and responsibility as prime minister until the very end.

“As a result of the defendant’s actions, South Korea was in danger of returning to the dark past when the basic rights and liberal democratic order of the people were violated, potentially preventing them from escaping from the quagmire of dictatorship for a long time.”

Mr Han is the first member of ex-president Yoon’s cabinet to be found guilty and sentenced to jail in relation to the martial law declaration.

He served as one of three caretaker leaders during the martial law crisis, which culminated in Mr Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office.

The former prime minister denied all the charges against him, saying he had no prior knowledge of any plans by Mr Yoon to declare martial law and had told Mr Yoon that he opposed the decision. He can appeal.

Last week, Mr Yoon was sentenced to five years in jail after being found guilty on charges linked to his declaration of martial law.

They included obstructing the work of authorities, fabricating official documents and failing to comply with legal processes.

Mr Yoon also faces more serious charges of leading an insurrection. A verdict is expected next month in a case where the special prosecutor has demanded the death penalty.

He denies all the charges against him.