Appellate Court Upholds Conviction of Former PM Han Duck-soo for Aiding Rebellion

A significant legal development has occurred in South Korea as the appellate court upheld a lower court's conviction of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for his alleged role in aiding a rebellion. The ruling, delivered by the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 12, found that Han possessed the intent to disrupt the constitution and support a rebellion, affirming the original judgment that sentenced him to 23 years in prison. This decision marks a critical moment in the ongoing legal scrutiny of actions taken during a period of declared emergency rule.

The charges against Han stem from his alleged actions in proposing the convening of the State Council and seeking signatures from ministers to legitimize an emergency decree. Prosecutors argued that these actions were intended to provide procedural justification for the emergency measures declared by then-President Yoon Suk-yeol, thereby constituting intentional participation in a rebellion. The appellate court's affirmation of this interpretation underscores the seriousness with which such alleged actions are being treated within the judicial system.

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(Han Duck-soo) is judged to have had the intent to disrupt the constitution and aid a rebellion.

This case is particularly noteworthy given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the sensitive political context surrounding the declaration of emergency rule. The court's decision to uphold the conviction and the lengthy sentence sends a strong message about accountability for actions perceived to undermine democratic processes. The legal proceedings continue to be closely watched, as they delve into the complex interplay between executive power, constitutional law, and the preservation of democratic order in South Korea.

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The original court's judgment that (Han Duck-soo) had the intent to disrupt the constitution and aid a rebellion is deemed just.