Charges Include Aiding Insurrection and Use of False Official Documents
First Detention Warrant Sought for a Former Prime Minister in Constitutional History
Decision Expected on August 27 After Warrant Review Hearing
The decision on whether to detain former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is accused of aiding and abetting former President Yoon Sukyeol's insurrection, will be made on August 27. This is the first time in the country's constitutional history that a detention warrant has been requested for a 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 Jo Eunseok is investigating the December 3 emergency martial law-related insurrection and foreign exchange cases. 2025.08.22 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
According to the Seoul Central District Court on August 25, the warrant review hearing for former Prime Minister Han will be held at 1:30 p.m. on August 27, presided over by Judge Jeong Jaewook, who is in charge of warrants.
Previously, the special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating the December 3 emergency martial law-related insurrection and foreign exchange cases, requested a detention warrant for Han late the previous day. The charges include aiding the leader of the insurrection, perjury, falsification of official documents, damage to official documents, violation of the Act on the Management of Presidential Records, and use of false official documents. The reasons cited for the warrant request include the seriousness of the crimes, concerns about destruction of evidence and flight risk, as well as the possibility of recidivism.
Former Prime Minister Han is suspected of aiding and participating in securing procedural legitimacy for the illegal martial law. He is alleged to have signed a document prepared by Kang Uigu, former presidential secretary, after the declaration of martial law, but a few days later requested, "If it becomes known that a document was created after the fact, it could spark another controversy, so let's pretend it never happened," and the document was reportedly destroyed.
He is also accused of perjury before the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly, claiming he was unaware of the martial law proclamation. In February, Han testified in the National Assembly that "I was not aware of the martial law proclamation at all until the cabinet meeting to lift martial law, and (later) found it in the back pocket of my suit," but the special prosecutor team has obtained presidential office CCTV footage showing Han reviewing martial law documents and related materials.
The special prosecutor team summoned Han three times to question him on the allegations and conducted searches and seizures at his residence and the prime minister’s official residence.
The decision on whether to detain former Prime Minister Han is expected to be made late in the evening on August 27 at the earliest.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
