Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Sentenced to 15 Years for Aiding Rebellion

The appellate court's decision to sentence former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 15 years in prison for aiding a rebellion marks a significant moment in South Korean justice, confirming the heavy responsibility that comes with high office. While the sentence was reduced from the initial 23 years, the core findings of the first trial were largely upheld, underscoring the gravity of Han's role during the tumultuous 12.3 emergency martial law. The court's emphasis on Han's duty as Prime Minister—the chief advisor to the president and deputy chairman of the State Council—to check and control the president's potential abuse of power is particularly striking. Despite a career spanning over 50 years in public service, during which he would have witnessed the chaos caused by past martial law decrees, Han is found to have prioritized his own safety and the interests of the powerful over constitutional duties and the welfare of the people. The court's judgment highlights that Han's actions, such as advising President Yoon Suk-yeol to convene a State Council meeting and discussing subsequent measures like media blackouts, were not mere procedural steps but constituted active participation in facilitating the rebellion. The ruling serves as a stark reminder that public service demands unwavering adherence to the constitution and the law, especially during times of crisis. The repeated claims of memory loss and the alleged creation of false documents to conceal his involvement further diminish his credibility and underscore a profound lack of accountability expected of a top public official. This sentence, therefore, is not just a legal consequence but a powerful statement on the ethical obligations of those in power.

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The 12.3 emergency martial law constitutes a rebellion with the purpose of subverting the constitution, and the Prime Minister, who should have led the effort to prevent it, instead participated in the rebellion, which must be severely punished.