Special Prosecutor Concludes 13.5-Hour Third Interrogation of Han Ducksoo... Decision on Arrest Warrant Imminent (Comprehensive)

Questioned for About 13 Hours and 30 Minutes on the 22nd
Follow-up Investigation Only Three Days After 16-Hour "Marathon Questioning" on the 19th
Spotlight on the Prime Minister's Role in Assisting and Checking the President
Special Prosecutor Considers Arrest Warrant... Possible Charge of Aiding Insurrection

The special prosecutor team led by Jo Eunseok, which is investigating the December 3 emergency martial law-related insurrection and foreign exchange allegations, summoned former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo for the third time on the 22nd and questioned him for more than 13 hours. The special prosecutor team is expected to decide soon whether to request an arrest warrant for the former prime minister.

Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo is appearing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, investigating the December 3 emergency martial law-related insurrection and foreign exchange cases, has set up its office. 2025.08.22 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

According to the legal community on the 23rd, the special prosecutor team summoned former Prime Minister Han as a suspect and questioned him about the process of declaring emergency martial law and subsequent instructions for approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. to around 10:57 p.m. the previous day. This follow-up investigation took place only three days after the previous "marathon questioning," which lasted about 16 hours on the 19th.

Former Prime Minister Han left the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office without answering any questions from reporters he encountered on his way home.

During the previous Yoon Sukyeol administration, Han served as the "second-in-command" and is suspected of failing to prevent and allegedly aiding or abetting former President Yoon's illegal declaration of emergency martial law on December 3 of last year. According to the Constitution and the Government Organization Act, the prime minister oversees all administrative ministries and supervises the heads of administrative agencies under the president's orders. Proposals for declaring martial law by the Minister of National Defense or the Minister of the Interior and Safety must also be submitted to the president through the prime minister. The prime minister also serves as the vice-chair of the cabinet meeting.

Given these powers and responsibilities associated with the position, the special prosecutor team believes that former Prime Minister Han should also be considered a "key accomplice" in the insurrection resulting from the illegal martial law. The team particularly emphasizes that the very existence of the prime minister's office in the Constitution is intended to act as a check on the president's unilateral actions. From the team's perspective, the prime minister, who is appointed with the consent of the National Assembly, has a duty to check the president's illegal decision to declare emergency martial law.

On the day martial law was declared, former Prime Minister Han was also one of the six cabinet members whom former President Yoon first summoned to inform them of the plan. He attended both the cabinet meeting that deliberated on the declaration and the following day's meeting that lifted the martial law.

At a briefing, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "The prime minister not only assists the president but also serves as a check on presidential power," adding, "We will examine whether he focused on his duty to uphold the Constitution and protect the nation and its people while assisting the president."

Former Prime Minister Han has also been named as an accomplice in the alleged drafting and destruction of a post-dated martial law declaration to remedy legal flaws in the original order issued by former President Yoon. The core allegation is that, after martial law was declared, Han signed a false martial law declaration document prepared by former Presidential Secretary Kang Uigu alongside former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun on December 5 of last year, and then instructed its destruction, saying, "If it becomes known that the document was created after the fact, it could spark another controversy."

Additionally, Han is suspected of interfering with the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law by speaking with former People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyungho by phone at around 11:12 p.m. on the day martial law was declared. He is also alleged to have called former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin after the National Assembly passed the motion to lift martial law, and to have ordered access restrictions on government agencies and the Korea National University of Arts through the Office for Government Policy Coordination during the emergency martial law period.

There are also allegations that Han perjured himself before the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly by claiming he was unaware of the martial law declaration. In February, Han testified before the National Assembly that "I was completely unaware of the martial law declaration until the cabinet meeting to lift it, and (later) found it in the back pocket of my suit." During the impeachment trial of former President Yoon, he also stated, "I really do not remember when or how I received it." However, during questioning on the 19th, he reportedly reversed his previous testimony, saying, "I received the declaration from former President Yoon." This amounts to an admission of perjury. Regarding Han's reversal, Special Prosecutor Park said, "Given the circumstances of his changed testimony, it is necessary to assess whether it can truly be considered a confession."

With abundant evidence already secured, including CCTV footage showing Han taking what appears to be the martial law declaration out of his suit pocket and related witness statements, the special prosecutor team intends to determine whether his belated admission can be regarded as a true confession of the crime.

Based on the findings from the three rounds of questioning so far, the special prosecutor team plans to decide soon whether to seek an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han. There is speculation that he could be charged with "aiding insurrection" for failing to fulfill his obligations, holding him responsible for "omission" in the case.