A look at South Korea’s Recent Political Turmoil
In South Korea, the political landscape has been shaken by recent events, leading to significant legal consequences for former leaders. The Seoul Central District Court made a notable decision on Wednesday, sentencing former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison. His crime? Playing a role in a controversial martial law declaration made by former President Yoon Suk Yeol back in December 2024.
Han, who spent many years as a diplomat and served as prime minister twice, is now the first high-ranking official from the Yoon administration to be found guilty. The court determined that he was guilty of rebellion. This was because he tried to make the martial law decree seem legal through a Cabinet meeting. He was also convicted of lying under oath and destroying evidence.
The situation began on the night of December 3, 2024, when President Yoon suddenly declared martial law. He called the National Assembly, which was controlled by the opposition party, a “den of criminals.” He also accused lawmakers of being “anti-state forces” and “followers of North Korea.” To put the decree into effect, he sent military troops and police to the National Assembly and election offices. This was seen as an attempt to stop the normal functions of the government.
While the declaration led to immediate and widespread protests, it only lasted for six hours. Lawmakers quickly voted to end it, preventing any major violence. The court has since described the event as a “self-coup,” aimed at dismantling South Korea’s constitutional order.
The court focused on Han’s efforts to make the decree appear legitimate by holding an emergency Cabinet meeting. Besides his part in the rebellion, Han was found guilty of falsifying and destroying the official martial law proclamation and lying under oath.
Han claims he is innocent, stating that he spoke out against Yoon’s plan at the time. However, the court rejected his defense. The court stated that Han failed to fulfill his duty as the nation’s second-highest official. Instead of upholding his oath, he chose to bet on the success of the rebellion.
Judge Lee Jin-gwan said that Han’s actions could have sent South Korea back to a time when people’s basic rights and the democratic order were ignored.
Han became acting president in December 2024 after Yoon was impeached. However, Han’s time in office was quickly threatened when he was also impeached. This followed a disagreement with opposition lawmakers over his refusal to fill open positions on the Constitutional Court. This court is responsible for deciding whether Yoon should be permanently removed from office.
Although the Court later reinstated him, Han resigned as acting president in early April 2025 after the justices formally removed Yoon from office.
Han then ran for president in the June snap election. However, he withdrew from the race after failing to win the nomination from the main conservative party. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the liberal party, ultimately won the election.
Yoon is currently in jail, facing many criminal charges and ongoing trials. He denies all allegations of rebellion, but his legal situation remains uncertain.
Last week, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing justice, abusing his power, and falsifying documents related to his martial law declaration. In a separate trial for insurrection, prosecutors have asked for the death penalty. A final decision is expected on February 19th.
