Court Asks, "What Actions Did You Take for the People?"
Han Responds, "I Opposed Martial Law and Was Unaware of the Overall Plan"
Footage Also Shows Han Nodding as Yoon Explains the Justification for Martial Law
During the trial of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on charges including aiding the leader of the insurrection, CCTV footage from the presidential office on the day of last year's martial law declaration was shown in court. In response to the court's question about what actions he took for the people, Han emphasized that, as a cabinet member, he opposed the declaration of martial law.
On the 13th, during the second trial of Han Duck-soo, former Prime Minister, on charges of aiding the leader of the insurrection at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, part of the closed-circuit CCTV footage from the presidential office on the day of last year's martial law declaration was revealed. Provided by Seoul Central District Court, Yonhap News Agency
The 33rd Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jinkwan) held the second hearing on the 13th for Han Duck-soo's case, which involves charges of aiding the leader of the insurrection, perjury, falsification and use of false official documents, and conducted an examination of the CCTV evidence.
The special investigation team on insurrection (Special Prosecutor Cho Eunsuk) played key segments of CCTV footage recorded on December 3 and 4 of last year, covering the inside and outside corridors of the fifth-floor main reception room at the presidential office, as part of their evidence review.
According to the footage, on December 3, 2024, at around 9:10 p.m., Han Duck-soo entered the main reception room after being informed of the martial law declaration plan by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. At that time, Han was seen holding two documents, which he read together with former Foreign Minister Cho Taeyul, former Unification Minister Kim Youngho, and others.
He was also seen taking another document from his inner jacket pocket and reading it. The special investigation team explained, "Former Minister Kim Yonghyun stated that he gave the Prime Minister a document containing special instructions," adding that the document appeared to contain special directives from the president.
The team further claimed that there is evidence Han was aware in advance of the instructions to cut off electricity and water to media companies. According to the footage, after the declaration of martial law, former President Yoon entered the main reception room and issued instructions to his aides. During this process, he made a hand gesture as if making a phone call to former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, while Han observed the scene.
In the early morning of December 4, after martial law was lifted, former Chief of Staff Kang Uigu was seen approaching Han with an approval file. The special investigation team argued that this suggests an attempt to draft the martial law declaration document after the fact.
The CCTV footage also showed: ▲ former Minister Lee and Han discussing and exchanging documents privately in the main reception room; ▲ Han appearing to make an urgent phone call to Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung; ▲ Han nodding as former President Yoon explained the necessity of martial law; and ▲ after the declaration, Han seemingly recommending post-martial law positions to Minister Song, former Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sangmok, and others.
The court told Han, "Martial law itself poses a high risk of infringing on the lives, safety, and property of the public, and it was confirmed that a large number of police and armed soldiers were deployed at the time. In such circumstances, what actions did you, as Prime Minister, take for the people?"
Han responded, "I had no knowledge of the overall plan, and I opposed the martial law declaration in the president's office, as it would cause significant problems for the economy and international credibility. I believed that cabinet members should express their positions through the cabinet meeting entrusted to them."
Han was indicted without detention last September on charges including aiding the leader of the insurrection, perjury, falsification of official documents, damaging official documents, violation of the Presidential Records Management Act, and use of false official documents.
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