South Korea’s former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo went on trial Tuesday, facing charges linked to last December’s martial law crisis that led to the impeachment of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Han, a veteran technocrat who served under five presidents, is accused of abetting an insurrection, creating false official documents, and committing perjury. Prosecutors say he played a key role in enabling Yoon’s “unconstitutional and illegitimate” martial law order, which was declared on December 3 and triggered a major political crisis.
During the first hearing, where cameras were permitted in court, Han criticized Yoon’s actions. “During my nearly 40 years as a public servant, I’ve always believed that our country must develop through a market economy and international credibility. From that perspective, I found this situation unacceptable,” he told judges.
Han admitted he had initially lied about not receiving documents from the presidential office during the martial law declaration, but denied the other allegations. His lawyers insisted he did not conspire in Yoon’s order.
The crisis eventually led to Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office. Han briefly served as acting president before he too was impeached over accusations of aiding Yoon.
The Constitutional Court later overturned his impeachment, but he resigned after a failed presidential bid in June that was marred by divisions among conservatives.
Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party went on to win the June 3 snap election, succeeding Yoon as president.
Meanwhile, Yoon himself is also standing trial on charges of insurrection, though he maintains he did nothing wrong.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
