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South Korean Court Declares Yoon’s 2024 Martial Law a Rebellion, Sentences Ex–Prime Minister Han to 23 Years

The decision sets the legal finding that will frame Yoon Suk Yeol’s rebellion sentencing scheduled for February 19.

Overview

  • The Seoul Central District Court said deploying troops and police to Parliament and election offices amounted to a mutiny or self‑coup that threatened constitutional order.
  • Han Duck‑soo became the first senior official convicted over the episode, receiving a term that exceeded the 15 years sought by the independent prosecutor and he was jailed immediately.
  • Judges found Han tried to give the decree procedural cover by approving it in a Cabinet meeting and convicted him of falsifying and destroying the proclamation and of perjury.
  • Han has denied most charges and says he told Yoon he opposed the plan, and he retains the right to appeal.
  • Yoon remains in detention with eight criminal cases pending, including the rebellion case for which prosecutors have requested the death penalty and a sentencing is set for February 19 following a separate recent five‑year conviction.