Han Duck-soo, Who Claimed "I Am Also from Honam," to Have Yeosu Honorary Citizenship Revoked

Yeosu City Initiates Honorary Citizenship Revocation Process for Han Duck-soo Following First Trial Verdict
Han Emphasized Being "from Honam" During Presidential Campaign

Jeollanam-do Yeosu City plans to revoke the honorary citizenship of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rebellion.

According to Yonhap News on January 27, Yeosu City announced that it is proceeding with the process to revoke the honorary citizenship awarded to Han in November 2007 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, following the verdict in the first trial.

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo appeared as a defendant at the trial for aiding and abetting the leader of the rebellion and perjury held on September 30 last year at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

At the time, Yeosu City awarded Han the honorary citizenship in recognition of his contribution to attracting the Yeosu World Expo. However, as Han came under investigation for his alleged involvement in the 12·3 Martial Law and was suspected of participating in major acts of rebellion, public opinion grew among citizens that his honorary citizenship should be revoked. In response, the Yeosu City Council reportedly amended the relevant ordinance in September of last year to allow for the revocation of honorary citizenship.

Yeosu City stated that it would proceed with the revocation process after reviewing the court's ruling on Han. After Han was found guilty on most charges, including aiding and abetting the leader of the rebellion, and was sentenced to 23 years in the first trial, the city determined that the honor of both Yeosu City and its citizens had been seriously damaged, and thus began the process.

The revocation of honorary citizenship is decided by a vote of the city council following a review by a public evaluation committee. However, since the committee has not yet been formed, it is expected that Han will retain his honorary citizenship for the time being.

In May of last year, Han Duck-soo, an independent presidential candidate at the time, delivered the keynote speech at a discussion hosted by the Kwanhun Club. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Last year, during the early presidential election period, Han referred to himself as a "person from Honam." In May of last year, he attempted to pay respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery but was blocked by protestors. As protestors chanted slogans such as "Rebels, step down" and blocked his path, Han responded, "Everyone, I am also from Honam. We must love each other. We must not hate. We must be together."

Meanwhile, Han was appointed as an honorary resident of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in June 2008 for his contributions to local development, including supporting institutional reforms and the creation of an English education city. However, after the 12·3 Martial Law, calls emerged for his honorary resident status to be revoked. In March of last year, the Jeju Provincial Council passed an amendment to the ordinance on the awarding of honorary resident certificates, specifying grounds for revocation and making it possible to strip him of this status.

However, the ordinance includes a clause stating that honorary resident status can only be revoked if the conviction is finalized. Therefore, Han is expected to retain his status until the Supreme Court upholds his guilty verdict.