South Korea ex-PM Han’s trial over martial law crisis kicks off
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Former prime minister Han Duck-soo attends the first hearing of his trial on Sept 30.
PHOTO: EPA
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SEOUL – South Korea’s former prime minister Han Duck-soo went on trial on Sept 30, accused of abetting an insurrection among other criminal charges in connection with the country’s martial law crisis last December.
Han, appointed by ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law
During the first hearing where journalists were allowed to film, Han said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was unacceptable.
“During my nearly 40 years as a public servant, I’ve always believed that our country must develop through a market economy and international credibility. From that perspective, I’d say this situation was hard to accept,” Han told the court in Seoul.
Han admitted he falsely stated that he did not receive or see any documents from the presidential office on Dec 3, 2024, when Yoon declared martial law, but denied the other charges, one of his lawyers said.
A special prosecutor’s team investigating Yoon’s short-lived order that sparked a political crisis has said Han was the highest-ranking official who could have stopped the president’s “unconstitutional, illegitimate” martial law.
Yoon is also on trial, facing criminal charges of insurrection. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Han, an experienced technocrat who served in senior posts under five presidents, became acting president after Yoon was impeached.
Soon after, Han was impeached after being accused of aiding Yoon in the martial law declaration.
He denied the accusation, but accepted some responsibility for the ensuing crisis by failing to dissuade Yoon from making the surprise move.
The Constitutional Court overturned Han’s impeachment ended his bid
Mr Lee Jae Myung of the centre-left Democratic Party won the June 3 election to become president after Yoon was removed from office over the martial law incident. REUTERS
