A South Korean appeals court has reduced the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was convicted in connection with a rebellion case tied to the country’s controversial martial law episode in December 2024. The Seoul High Court lowered his sentence from 23 years to 15 years while upholding most of the earlier convictions.

Han Duck-soo, a senior bureaucrat and political appointee under then President Yoon Suk Yeol, was found guilty of supporting efforts to legitimise the martial law declaration that later triggered a major constitutional and political crisis in South Korea. The court said Han played a role in actions that attempted to give official validity to the decree, including participation in a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the measure.

The court also upheld findings that Han was involved in discussions about restricting water and electricity supplies to major media organisations, as well as charges related to falsifying and destroying the martial law proclamation. He was additionally convicted of perjury for allegedly lying under oath during proceedings linked to the case. Judges described his actions as representing a severe breach of public responsibility.

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In its ruling, the Seoul High Court said Han’s “criminal liabilities are very grave,” noting that he had “abandoned his immense responsibilities” as the second-highest official in the administration during a period of national crisis. The court maintained that his involvement contributed to what prosecutors described as an unlawful attempt to impose martial law, though it reduced the sentence from the earlier 23-year term handed down by a lower court.

Legal experts noted that the revised sentence aligns more closely with penalties given to other officials involved in the same case, including former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who received a seven-year prison term. Prosecutors had previously sought a 15-year sentence for Han, arguing his role warranted significant punishment given the seriousness of the charges.

Han, aged 76, has had a long career in South Korea’s civil service and served twice as prime minister under different administrations. He was among interim leaders appointed after Yoon was suspended and later removed from office. Following impeachment proceedings, Lee Jae Myung succeeded Yoon after winning a snap election. Han and prosecutors now have seven days to appeal the latest ruling to South Korea’s Supreme Court, which will deliver the final judgment in the case.

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