Han Duck-soo

Han was prosecuted for helping give the appearance of a regular Cabinet deliberation surrounding the declaration of martial law on 3 December 2024, as well as for document forgery, destruction of documents and perjury. He was sentenced to 23 years in January 2026, reduced to 15 years on appeal on 7 May. On 5 August 2026, the Supreme Court decided that his appeal would be considered by its full bench because of the case's historic and legal importance.

Legal status — source text

23-year first-instance sentence in January 2026; reduced to 15 years on appeal on 7 May 2026; Supreme Court full-bench review pending as of 21 August 2026

Attribution

Personally implicated

After Yoon Suk Yeol's suspension, Han became Acting President and was then impeached by the National Assembly, notably over his refusal to make several Constitutional Court appointments immediately and criticism of his handling of the martial law crisis. On 24 March 2025, the Constitutional Court rejected his impeachment and reinstated him.

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

On 1 May 2025, Han left his positions as Prime Minister and Acting President simultaneously to stand in the early presidential election. The unprecedented decision was criticised during an institutional crisis, with opponents accusing him of exploiting the visibility of his interim head-of-state position before becoming a candidate.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

After failed negotiations to unite Han with the PPP's officially selected candidate, Kim Moon-soo, the party leadership initiated an exceptional procedure to cancel Kim's candidacy and install Han. The move triggered an internal crisis, a legal challenge by Kim and ultimately a vote by party members rejecting the replacement. Han then withdrew his candidacy and supported Kim.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

At his 2022 confirmation hearing, Han faced extensive questions about his repeated moves between senior public offices and the Kim & Chang law firm. He had received approximately 1.977 billion won between 2017 and 2022, in addition to an earlier engagement in 2002–2003, fuelling accusations of a "revolving door", excessive remuneration and a risk of influence lobbying.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

For approximately ten years, Han rented a Seoul property to subsidiaries of AT&T and then Mobil, receiving around 620 million won while holding important positions in the trade administration. Mobil's involvement in government projects during that period fuelled conflict-of-interest suspicions.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Personally implicated

Han worked as an adviser to Kim & Chang in 2002–2003 when the firm represented Lone Star, and subsequently held several leading economic positions during controversies over the acquisition and resale of Korea Exchange Bank. In 2022, his past connections and remarks cited in international arbitration revived allegations that he might have been too close to the US fund's interests.

Attribution

Personally implicated

The 2022 confirmation hearing also examined sales of paintings by Han's wife to members of major conglomerate families and Booyoung Housing. The opposition raised the possibility of an advantageous network effect or a "Han Duck-soo premium" that could create the appearance of a conflict of interest.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Indirectly implicated