Top court schedules another deliberation for ex-PM's martial law trial, raising likelihood of release

The Supreme Court of South Korea has set a follow-up deliberation session for the appeal of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is facing insurrection charges, on November 19. This hearing falls just a day before his six-month detention period ends due to his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.

Given this timeline, it is probable that Han, who received a 15-year sentence following an appellate court ruling, will be released once his detention runs its course as it cannot be extended any further. The lengthy proceedings of Han's appeal were necessitated by the court's referral of the case to its full bench in August due to the public's significant interest and the historical significance of the event.

Initially, a Seoul district court sentenced Han to a 23-year prison term in January for his alleged participation in an insurrection during Yoon's brief martial law declaration on December 3, 2024. However, this conviction was later reduced to 15 years in May when the appellate court overturned some of the charges. The Supreme Court has also arranged a deliberation for former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min's appeal on insurrection charges on the same day as Han's case, which is November 19.

Lee has been given a nine-year prison sentence by an appellate bench for his alleged role in Yoon's martial law bid, with his detention period set to conclude on December 18.