A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former prime minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison over charges including engaging in acts of insurrection.

The charges were linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024.

What did the court say about Han's role?

The Seoul Central District Court said it considered Han instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet ‌meeting that facilitated the martial law declaration.

A judge ‌described it as a "top-down insurrection."

"The defendant was a prime minister who had been indirectly given democratic legitimacy and responsibility... Nevertheless, the defendant chose ‍to turn a blind eye... and participate as a ​member ​of the December 3 insurrection," the judge said.

"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."

The court also convicted Han of several related offenses, including perjury and falsifying official documents. Han denied all charges except partial perjury.

At the age of 76, Han is the first former cabinet minister to receive a lower-court criminal ruling directly tied to the imposition of martial law. He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

The ruling is subject to appeal, and the presiding judge said he expects the case to be fought through to the Supreme Court.

What happened to Yoon Suk Yeol?

Last week, former president Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison in the first verdict stemming from eight criminal trials linked to his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Yoon was impeached, arrested, and formally removed from office after the move sparked mass protests and a political crisis, with demonstrators accusing him of attempting to undermine democratic rule.

The most serious charge against Yoon alleges that his enforcement of martial law amounted to rebellion. An independent counsel has sought the death penalty on that count, with the Seoul Central District Court set to rule on that charge on Feb. 19.

Yoon has denied seeking to impose long-term military rule, arguing that the decree was intended to warn the public about what he described as obstruction by a liberal-controlled parliament. Investigators, however, have concluded that the move was aimed at consolidating and prolonging his hold on power.

Prosecutors have also charged Yoon with abuse of power, and additional criminal offenses, with further verdicts expected as the remaining trials proceed.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic