Han Dok Soo
Han Dok Soo was recognized as an accomplice in the coup initiated by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was classified as a "state of emergency." The court found that the former prime minister facilitated the preparation of an unconstitutional decree and failed to take action to stop the use of police and military forces to seize the National Assembly and the Electoral Commission.
Furthermore, the court established that Han discussed with Lee Sang Min, the former Minister of Internal Affairs, the possibility of cutting off electricity to the media, which was considered an act of censorship. He was also found guilty of forgery of official documents and giving false testimony.
After the verdict was announced, Han Dok Soo was immediately arrested in the courtroom. The court emphasized that the former prime minister caused "irreparable harm" to the country and jeopardized the constitutional order. This decision may influence the subsequent verdicts of other key participants in the case, including former President Yoon, whose trial is scheduled for next month.
On January 16, the Central District Court of Seoul sentenced Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for obstructing justice. The sentence related to events surrounding the short-term imposition of martial law in December 2024, as well as attempts to hinder the detention by investigators in January 2025.
