Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo may walk free from custody on November 20 as South Korea’s Supreme Court weighs his appeal in the ongoing December 3 martial law insurrection case, jbsori.com reported.
- Han Duck-soo and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min face imminent release as their detention periods expire before the Supreme Court delivers its final rulings.
- The ruling Democratic Party faces sharp public criticism for offering only muted written briefings and social media statements rather than decisive legislative action.
- Lawmaker Park Hee-seong sparked further controversy by dismissing a citizen demanding Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s impeachment as “crazy.”
Han was sentenced to 23 years in prison in January after a lower court convicted him of playing an important role in the insurrection during the December 3 emergency martial law decree. The Seoul High Court later reduced that sentence to 15 years in May.
The Supreme Court referred Han’s case to a full bench in August, but it has not scheduled a sentencing date. jbsori.com reported that the court set a second deliberation meeting for November 19, just one day before Han’s legal detention period expires on November 20.
A similar fate awaits former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. Lee received a seven-year sentence in his first trial and nine years on appeal for ordering the disconnection of electricity and water at a specific media outlet during martial law, according to jbsori.com. His detention period is set to expire on December 18.
| Defendant | Role | Appellate Sentence | Detention Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Han Duck-soo | Former Prime Minister | 15 Years | November 20 |
| Lee Sang-min | Former Interior Minister | 9 Years | December 18 |
Criticism has mounted against the ruling Democratic Party for responding to the impending releases with what critics term weak political theater. jbsori.com reported that party spokespersons issued statements condemning Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae for dragging his feet, while lawmakers posted pointed messages on social media.
“The Supreme Court’s clock stretches and shrinks like a rubber band only in front of certain individuals,” a Democratic Party Judiciary Committee member wrote on Facebook, as cited by jbsori.com.
Another party member warned on social media that if Han is released, “that is when the real war begins,” according to jbsori.com. Civil society groups and opposition figures argue that these statements amount to empty rhetoric while insurrection suspects prepare to walk free.
Civic coalitions, including the Jeonbuk Constitution Movement Headquarters, have continued to denounce the judiciary’s handling of the cases. jbsori.com said that public frustration with both the ruling party’s inaction and the court’s delays threatens to deepen political disillusionment ahead of upcoming elections.
