Overview
- Prosecutors requested a 15-year prison term at Han Duck-soo’s final hearing, citing charges of aiding an insurrection leader, performing key duties of an attempted insurrection, and perjury.
- The Seoul Central District Court signaled its first-instance verdict for Jan. 21, 2026, with Jan. 28 also discussed, positioning Han’s case as the first legal reading of the Dec. 3 events.
- The special counsel pointed to presidential office CCTV and an allegedly backdated proclamation that Han signed and later ordered destroyed, while Han denied assisting the declaration and stressed he tried to stop it.
- Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said the recommendation will set a standard for other trials, including former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s case, which carries potential life imprisonment or the death penalty under the statutes cited.
- The Defense Ministry issued initial discipline for personnel who boarded the ‘martial law bus,’ and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered a review to revoke a 10-day measure for Brig. Gen. Kim Sang-hwan and consider a tougher penalty.