Executive Summary
- Seoul Central District Court approves live broadcast of ex-PM Han Duck-soo’s sentencing.
- Han faces charges of abetting insurrection and perjury related to martial law.
- Special prosecutors have requested a 15-year prison sentence.
- The case is part of a broader investigation into the former administration’s actions.
SEOUL – The Seoul Central District Court on Monday authorized the live broadcast of the upcoming sentencing hearing for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who faces charges related to the alleged abetting of an insurrection linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration.
According to the court’s announcement, the sentencing hearing scheduled for Wednesday will be televised given the significant public interest in the proceedings. Han has been indicted on charges of aiding the former president’s imposition of martial law, playing a pivotal role in the alleged insurrection, and committing perjury in connection with the events.
Court records indicate that during the final hearing in November, the team led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk requested a 15-year prison term for the former Prime Minister. This decision marks the second time a sentencing trial has been approved for broadcast among the cases investigated by special counsels regarding the former administration. Former President Yoon’s sentencing on charges including obstruction of justice was similarly broadcast last Friday.
Judicial Transparency and Proceedings
The decision to permit a live broadcast highlights the judiciary’s approach to balancing transparency with legal protocol in cases of high national significance. By opening the courtroom to the public eye, the court addresses the historical gravity of the martial law allegations and the subsequent fallout involving top government officials. While this hearing addresses sentencing, it is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and defendants retain the right to appeal judicial decisions.
