The court proceedings held at the Central District Court of Seoul concluded that the "state of emergency" declared by former President Yoon Suk Yeol constitutes an act of rebellion. Han Dok Soo was found guilty of facilitating the preparation of an unconstitutional decree and failing to prevent the use of police and military forces to seize the National Assembly and the Election Commission.
Additionally, the court established that the former Prime Minister discussed with Interior Minister Lee Sang Min ways to cut off electricity to the media, which the court regarded as an act of censorship. Han Dok Soo was also convicted of forgery of official documents and giving false testimony.
After the verdict was announced, Han Dok Soo was immediately arrested in the courtroom. The judge noted that the actions of the former Prime Minister caused "irreparable harm" to the state and jeopardized constitutional order. This decision may influence the ongoing legal proceedings against other significant participants in the case, including former President Yoon, whose trial is set to take place next month.
Recall that on January 16, the Central District Court of Seoul sentenced Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for obstructing justice in connection with the temporary imposition of martial law in December 2024. The former president also obstructed the detention of investigators in January 2025.
