South Korean Court Reduces Former Prime Minister’s Prison Sentence to 15 Years

Judges said Han neglected his duty as prime minister to restrain Yoon’s misuse of presidential authority during the December 2024 political crisis.

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (C) arrives at the Seoul Central District Court for his first sentencing trial in the insurrection case, in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 21, 2026. Chung Sung-Jun/AP

South Korea’s Seoul High Court on May 7 reduced the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo from 23 years to 15 years for his role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed declaration of martial law in December 2024.

The court affirmed key findings that Han helped facilitate Yoon’s measure and failed to oppose it.