Han Ducksoo on 'Aiding Insurrection': "Martial Law Difficult to Accept for National Development" (Comprehensive)

Silent in Response to Reporters' Questions Upon Court Appearance
First Trial Broadcast by the Court, Footage to Be Made Public Online
Han's Legal Team: "Denying All Charges Except Perjury"

The first trial for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who was indicted by the special prosecutor’s team (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok) on charges of aiding and abetting former President Yoon Sukyeol’s act of insurrection, began on the 30th. Han stated regarding the unconstitutionality of the emergency martial law, "From the perspective of national development, it is a situation that is difficult to accept."

Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo appeared as a defendant on the 30th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, for a trial on charges including aiding and abetting the leader of the insurrection and perjury. September 30, 2025 Photo by Joint Press Corps

The 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jingwan) held the first hearing for former Prime Minister Han, who was indicted on charges including aiding and abetting the leader of the insurrection, at 10 a.m. on this day.

Appearing in court, Han did not respond to reporters’ questions such as, "How do you plan to explain the allegation that you failed to fulfill your constitutional duty to prevent insurrection?" and "Do you still maintain that you never received any documents related to martial law?"

After entering the courtroom and taking his seat as the defendant, Han replied "I am unemployed" when the court asked about his occupation during the identity verification process. When asked if he wanted a jury trial, he answered, "I do not wish for one."

When the court asked Han, "Do you believe the emergency martial law was unconstitutional or constitutional?" he replied, "I will answer through my attorney."

He continued, "However, after nearly 40 years as a public servant, I have a belief that our country must develop through a market economy and international credibility," adding, "From that perspective, martial law is a situation that is difficult to accept in terms of national development."

Former Prime Minister's Side: "Only Partially Admits to Perjury Charges"

Han’s attorney stated that they only partially admit to the perjury charges in the special prosecutor’s indictment, and deny all other charges, including aiding and abetting the leader of the insurrection. Previously, on August 29, the special prosecutor’s team indicted Han without detention on charges including aiding and abetting the leader of the insurrection, perjury, falsification of official documents, damage to official records, violation of the Presidential Records Management Act, and use of false official documents.

The attorney said, "We only admit to the perjury regarding the statement that he did not recall receiving any documents related to martial law at the presidential office on the day martial law was declared," and added, "We deny all other charges in the indictment."

The attorney further argued, "We deny the charges on the grounds that there are no specific circumstances as claimed by the special prosecutor, or that the defendant did not have such intent," and insisted, "None of the allegations, including falsification and use of official documents, or damage to official records resulting from the disposal of the emergency martial law declaration, which is a presidential record, are legally valid."

Chief Judge Lee Jingwan is presiding over the first trial of former Prime Minister Han Deoksoo on charges including aiding and abetting the leader of the rebellion and perjury at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 30th. 2025.9.30 Photo by Joint Press Corps

With the court’s approval, the entire trial was broadcast from start to finish. The court will release the video online after anonymizing personal information. Previously, on the 26th, the first trial of former President Yoon Sukyeol on charges including obstruction of special official duties was also broadcast.

The special prosecutor’s team believes that Han, as the "number one state official" and vice chair of the Cabinet, failed to prevent and instead aided former President Yoon Sukyeol’s illegal declaration of emergency martial law last year.

Han is also accused of proposing the convening of a Cabinet meeting prior to the martial law declaration to give the appearance of procedural legitimacy, and of drafting and discarding a subsequent declaration to address legal flaws in the initial martial law proclamation. The indictment also includes perjury before the Constitutional Court, where he testified that he was unaware of the martial law declaration.

The court scheduled the next hearing for 10 a.m. on October 13. At the second trial, written evidence regarding the presidential office’s CCTV footage from the day of the December 3 Martial Law will be reviewed, followed by witness examinations of former Unification Minister Kim Youngho and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.