South Korea ex-PM Han's trial over martial law crisis kicks off

30/9/2025 16:41

South Korea's former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo went on trial on Tuesday, accused of abetting an insurrection among other criminal charges in connection with the country's martial law crisis last December.



Han, appointed by ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol who declared martial law, also faces charges of creating false official documents and committing perjury.

During the first hearing where media was allowed to film, Han said Yoon's imposition of martial law was unacceptable.



"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'd say this situation was hard to accept," Han told the court in Seoul.



Han admitted he had falsely stated that he did not receive or see any documents from the presidential office on December 3 when Yoon declared the martial law, but denied the other charges, one of his lawyers said.



A special prosecutor's team investigating Yoon's short-lived order that sparked a political crisis has said Han was the highest-ranking official who could have stopped the president's "unconstitutional, illegitimate" martial law.



Yoon is also on trial, facing criminal charges of insurrection. He has denied any wrongdoing.