South Korean Prosecutors Demand Twenty Three Year Prison Term For Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

Special prosecutors demand a 23-year sentence for ex-PM Han Duck-soo over his role in the 2024 insurrection. Read the latest on the Seoul appeals court hearing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from CGTN

The Prosecution Escalates Sentencing Demands In Seoul

The judicial pursuit of high ranking officials involved in the December 2024 insurrection reached a new peak this Tuesday as independent counsel Cho Eun-suk formally requested a twenty three year sentence for Han Duck-soo. This request in the appeals court represents a significant escalation from the initial fifteen year term sought by the prosecution during the first instance of the trial. According to the special counsel team, the severity of the punishment must reflect the gravity of aiding an illegal martial law declaration that threatened the democratic foundations of the Republic of Korea.

A Legacy Of Martial Law And Constitutional Defiance

The legal crisis traces back to the night of December 3, 2024, when former President Yoon Suk-yeol stunned the nation by declaring emergency martial law. While the decree was revoked by the National Assembly within hours, the fallout led to immediate criminal investigations into the executive branch. Han Duck-soo, serving as Prime Minister at the time, was charged with facilitating critical duties related to this insurrection. The prosecution argues that Han played a pivotal role in the administration’s attempt to bypass legislative authority through military force.

Judicial Precedents Set By The Central District Court

Tuesday’s sentencing demand aligns with the stern stance already taken by the South Korean judiciary regarding the 2024 events. In January, the Seoul Central District Court had already sentenced Han to twenty three years in prison, matching the duration now sought by the special counsel in this appeal. This consistency in legal pressure underscores the court’s view of the Prime Minister’s office as a key instrument in the failed power grab. According to court records, Han’s actions were inseparable from the broader conspiracy to subvert the constitutional order.