South Korean prosecutors seek 15 years for ex-PM Han over martial law
"Han was the key person who could have prevented this incident," said South Korea's special prosecutor when calling for a 15-year prison sentence for former PM Han Duck Soo for his role in last year's political turmoil and brief spell of martial law.
Seoul (dpa) - South Korea's special prosecutor on Wednesday called for a 15-year prison sentence for former prime minister Han Duck Soo for his alleged role in last year's brief imposition of martial law, which plunged the country into political turmoil.
The 76-year-old is accused of assisting then-president Yoon Suk Yeol in his declaration of martial law in December 2024. Han was interim president for a period of months after Yoon's impeachment.
"Han was the key person who could have prevented this incident," said Park Ji Young, special investigator for the public prosecutor's office.
Han, who is considered an experienced diplomat and politician, denies the accusation of aiding and abetting an insurrection.
Attempt at insurrection
Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law at the beginning of December last year in the wake of an escalating budget dispute, claiming that the left-wing opposition had been infiltrated by communist forces and harboured sympathies for North Korea and China, without providing any evidence.
The public prosecutor's office has since charged him with inciting an insurrection and abuse of office.
Of all the members of Yoon's Cabinet who are currently in custody for their possible complicity in the case, Han is likely to be the first to receive a verdict, probably in January.
The special investigative team's recommendation for a long prison sentence is therefore considered an indication of what may await Yoon.
If convicted, the 64-year-old could theoretically face the death penalty, though South Korea has not carried out any executions since the late 1990s.