Trial Begins for Former South Korean Prime Minister Over Martial Law Controversy

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo appeared in court on Tuesday, facing multiple charges linked to last December’s martial law crisis. The allegations include abetting an insurrection, falsifying official documents, and committing perjury.
Han had been serving under then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law before being impeached. Han also briefly took on the role of acting president following Yoon’s removal from office.
During the first hearing—where media coverage was allowed—Han expressed his disapproval of the martial law declaration:

“During my nearly 40 years as a public servant, I’ve always believed that our country must develop through a market economy and international credibility. From that perspective, I’d say this situation was hard to accept,” Han told the court in Seoul.

One of Han’s lawyers stated that Han admitted to making a false statement about not having seen any documents from the presidential office on December 3, the day martial law was declared. However, he denied the other charges.
A team of special prosecutors investigating the incident said Han was the most senior official who could have intervened to stop what they described as an “unconstitutional, illegitimate” order.
Yoon is also facing trial on charges of insurrection and has denied any wrongdoing.
Although Han denied aiding in the declaration, he acknowledged partial responsibility for failing to prevent it. He was later impeached, but the Constitutional Court overturned the decision, allowing him to resume office. He eventually stepped down to enter the snap presidential election in June but ended his campaign due to internal divisions among conservative groups.
Lee Jae Myung, representing the centre-left Democratic Party, won the June 3 election and assumed the presidency following Yoon’s removal.