Former PM Han Duck-soo gets 5-year prison sentence request in constitutional judge appointment case

A special prosecutor has requested a five-year prison sentence for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The charges stem from his alleged failure to appoint constitutional judge candidates recommended by the National Assembly in December 2024. Han, who was acting president at the time, cited a lack of consensus between ruling and opposition parties as the reason for not making the appointments.

The prosecution argued that Han's inaction constituted an abuse of power and dereliction of duty. "He failed to exercise his authority when he should have, and exercised it when he should not have," the special prosecutor stated during the closing arguments at the Seoul Central District Court. "As a result, he caused disruption to state affairs and attempted to preemptively distort the people's choice of state power through a new president."

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He failed to exercise his authority when he should have, and exercised it when he should not have. As a result, he caused disruption to state affairs and attempted to preemptively distort the people's choice of state power through a new president.

Adding to the accusations, Han is also implicated in appointing candidates for constitutional judge positions without adequate vetting procedures. This occurred after the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, with Han allegedly expediting the process for successors to judges whose terms were ending. The special prosecutor's team highlighted that the final vetting reports were not even reviewed.

Several other former officials, including ex-Presidential Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Ju-hyun, former Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, and former Secretary for Public Service Integrity Lee Won-mo, are also on trial for abuse of power. The prosecution requested four-year sentences for Kim and Jeong, and three years for Lee.

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The inaction caused national disruption and attempted to distort the people's choice of state power.