Former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo was accused of failing to convene a legitimate cabinet meeting after declaring martial law.

A South Korean court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo to 23 years in prison. The shame of former President Yoon Seok-yeol A brief period of martial law.

Han was found guilty on Wednesday of abetting Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law and failing to convene a legitimate cabinet meeting as required by South Korean law following the then-president’s December 2024 decree to mobilize the military.

Seoul Central District Court Judge Lee Jin-kwan said the South Korean president “ignored his obligations and responsibilities as prime minister until the very end.”

The judge said: “As a result of the defendant’s actions, South Korea faces the danger of returning to the dark past. The people’s basic rights and free democratic order are violated, which may prevent them from getting out of the quagmire of dictatorship for a long time.”

The court ordered Han’s detention after the verdict, citing concerns that evidence might be destroyed.

Han, 76, is the first member of Yoon’s cabinet to be found guilty and jailed for declaring martial law.

The former prime minister has denied the accusations against him, saying he had no prior knowledge of Yoon’s plans to impose military rule.

Last week, a court sentenced Mr. Yin to five years in prison for charges related to the imposition of martial law, including obstructing authorities, forging official documents and failing to comply with legal procedures.

Yin also faces more serious charges of leading a rebellion through martial law. The special prosecutor has Demanding that Yin be sentenced to death A verdict in the case is expected next month.

Al Jazeera’s Jack Barton reported from Seoul that Wednesday’s verdict is crucial because Han is the first official to face sentencing on charges directly related to martial law, and the court’s decision could have an impact on Yoon’s upcoming rebellion verdict.

“This is the first sentence he’s ever received, and it’s the 23-year sentence he’s ever received. That’s higher than the 15 years the prosecution requested,” Patton said.

“It certainly won’t bode well for former President Yoon when the final verdict is announced – expected on February 19,” he said.