The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok has requested a five-year prison sentence for Han Duck-soo, the former Prime Minister, who is charged with failing to appoint Constitutional Court justices recommended by the National Assembly following the December 3 emergency martial law declaration.
During the sentencing hearing held on August 28 at the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 33, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, the prosecution argued for a five-year sentence for Han.
Jung Jin-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President, and Kim Joo-hyun, former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, were each recommended for four years in prison, while Lee Won-mo, former Secretary for Public Office Ethics, faced a three-year sentence.
The prosecution pointed out that "Han Duck-soo rejected the appointment of Constitutional Court justices lawfully elected by the National Assembly, citing a lack of agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, without any legal basis, in order to obstruct the Constitutional Court's decision to uphold the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol."
They further criticized Han, stating, "After former President Yoon was removed from office, as the schedule for electing a new president became clearer, he preemptively nominated a successor for the president's share of Constitutional Court justices to shape the future composition of the court according to their intentions."
The prosecution argued that Han's failure to appoint the justices led to a disruption in government operations and that by nominating justices for the president's share, he attempted to distort the choice of state power that would be exercised by the new president.
Regarding sentencing, the prosecution noted, "Han Duck-soo has served as a top official in South Korea for 55 years, including as Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office and Chief Negotiator for Trade. He was entrusted with significant authority and trust from the Constitution and the people, and he must bear the heaviest responsibility for using that authority to undermine the constitutional order."
Han is accused of failing to appoint the Constitutional Court justices recommended by the National Assembly after the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol in December 2024. He is also charged with nominating candidates Ham Sang-hoon and Lee Wan-kyu as Constitutional Court justices without proper personnel verification procedures last April.
Additionally, Han is facing charges related to insurrection for allegedly suggesting the convening of a Cabinet meeting to create the appearance that former President Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law was conducted with Cabinet deliberation. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the second trial, and an appeal is currently underway.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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