Prosecutors in the Republic of Korea (ROK) have escalated their demands in the high-profile insurrection case involving former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, seeking a 23-year prison sentence during an appeals court hearing this week. The case stems from allegations that Han aided former President Yoon Suk-yeol's attempted imposition of martial law in late 2024, a political crisis that gripped the nation before being swiftly overturned by lawmakers.
Independent counsel Cho Eun-suk, leading the investigation, revised the sentencing request upward from the initial 15-year term proposed during the first trial. This development follows the Seoul Central District Court's January 2026 decision to sentence Han to 23 years imprisonment, a ruling now under appellate review.
The charges center on Han's alleged coordination with Yoon during the December 3, 2024 emergency declaration, which lawmakers revoked within hours amid constitutional concerns. Yoon himself received a life sentence in February 2026 for his role in the crisis, marking one of the ROK's most significant political reckonings in modern history.
Legal analysts note the appeals process could extend through mid-2026, with observers closely watching how courts balance accountability for the failed power consolidation attempt against established precedents for former high-ranking officials. The case continues to spark debates about constitutional safeguards in East Asia's fourth-largest economy.
