"23 Years in First Trial": Han Ducksoo's Appeal Begins...Yoon Not Approved as Witness

Six Witnesses Selected, Including Former Minister Lee Sangmin

The appellate trial for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison in the first trial for his involvement in the 12·3 Martial Law, will officially begin next week.

Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, accused of aiding the leader of the insurrection, is attending the first trial sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on January 21, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

The Criminal Division 12-1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Lee Seungcheol, Cho Jingu, and Kim Mina) held the first preparatory hearing for Han's appeal on March 5. As attendance is not mandatory for the defendant at a preparatory hearing, former Prime Minister Han did not appear in court.

The court has decided to hold a total of four appellate hearings starting from the 11th. The arguments may conclude on April 7, which is set as the fourth hearing date.

The court approved six out of nine witnesses requested by Han’s legal team, excluding three individuals: former President Yoon Sukyeol and two others. Those selected as witnesses include former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Taeyong, former National Security Office Chief Shin Wonsik, former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, and former Justice Minister Park Sungjae.

On the 24th, the court will examine evidence related to the presidential office CCTV footage, which captures the scenes before and after the martial law declaration. Han’s legal team argues that, in the first trial, only portions of the CCTV recordings deemed necessary by the special prosecutor were entered into the record, and insists that a more thorough review is needed.

On April 7, the defendant will also be questioned in court. Although the Special Prosecutor for the Rebellion, Cho Eunseok’s team, stated that sufficient statements were made in the first trial and an additional interrogation is unnecessary, the court accepted Han’s request, citing the significance of the case.

Former Prime Minister Han was sentenced to 23 years in prison in the first trial in January for allegedly recommending the convening of a cabinet meeting to former President Yoon prior to the martial law declaration, presiding over that meeting, and thereby providing procedural legitimacy to the illegal imposition of martial law. The special prosecutor had previously requested a 15-year prison sentence.

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