Special counsel demands 15-year prison term for ex-PM Han in martial law case
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul to attend his trial on martial law-related charges, Wednesday. Yonhap
A special counsel team on Wednesday demanded a 15-year prison term for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on charges of abetting former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law.
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team made the request during the final hearing of Han's trial at the Seoul Central District Court, making him the first Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to receive a sentencing recommendation in the martial law case.
"Though the defendant was, in fact, the only person who could have stopped the insurrection situation of this case, he abandoned his duty as a servant of the entire nation and took part in the insurrection crime through a series of acts before and after the declaration of martial law," a member of the special counsel team said.
Han has been indicted on charges of abetting the ringleader of an insurrection, playing a key role in an insurrection and perjury, all in connection with the martial law imposition.
In addition to attending a Cabinet meeting shortly before Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3, he allegedly signed a revised proclamation that was drafted later to enhance its legitimacy, discarded it and lied under oath at the Constitutional Court.
The special counsel team asked the court to consider the immense damage to the nation and the people and his uncooperative attitude in the investigation process.
"This case was an act of terror on the democracy of the Republic of Korea, and the nation and the people as a whole were the victims," the team member said.
"By strictly punishing the defendant, we must ensure this unfortunate history of the Republic of Korea does not repeat itself," he added.
In his final statement, Han continued to deny the allegations, saying he tried to overturn Yoon's decision with other Cabinet members but that "it was not enough" to prevent the martial law declaration.
"Although I was unable to stop the martial law imposition, I never agreed with it or helped it," Han said. "This is the most honest statement I can make before this historic court session today."
Han's legal team also argued that Han had no prior knowledge of any insurrection plan aside from the declaration itself.
"The president had already decided to declare martial law and there was no constitutional or legal obligation requiring the defendant to take concrete steps to prevent it other than expressing opposition at that time," it said.
Han is expected to become the first Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to receive a verdict in the martial law case as the court has decided to deliver its ruling on Jan. 21 next year.
At a press briefing, assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said the sentencing recommendation for Han will "set the standard" for the trials of others implicated.
"We decided on the sentencing recommendation in full consideration of the sentences given in past insurrection cases and the changed realities of the times," she said.