• Ex-PM Han Duck-soo sentenced to 23 years in prison for insurrection.
• Conviction linked to a martial law declaration by ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol.
• Judge cited Han's failure to conduct a lawful cabinet meeting during the crisis.
• This is the first ruling against a former official tied to the martial law declaration.

A South Korean court has sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison after finding him guilty of insurrection related to ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol's brief declaration of martial law in December 2024. Han was convicted for failing to conduct a lawful cabinet meeting necessary under South Korean law, as outlined by the judge presiding over the case, who stated that Han had "disregarded his duty and responsibility as prime minister until the very end," according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.

The conviction marks a significant ruling, as Han is the first member of Yoon's administration to face sentencing related to the controversial martial law declaration. The judge remarked that Han's actions endangered the basic rights of South Korean citizens and threatened a return to authoritarianism, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Han, who has denied the charges and claimed ignorance of Yoon's martial law plan, is now facing immediate detention following the verdict. This ruling is pivotal as it may impact the forthcoming verdict regarding Yoon, who is also facing serious charges for his role in the martial law crisis, according to South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.