Special counsel asks 15-year prison term for South Korea's ex-PM Han in martial law case

Seoul: A special counsel team in South Korea recommended a 15-year prison sentence for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday, accusing him of abetting former President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team submitted the plea during the final hearing of Han's trial at Seoul Central District Court, making him the first of dozens of defendants in the martial law case to get a sentencing recommendation, according to Yonhap News Agency.

"Though the defendant was, in fact, the only person who could have stopped the insurrection situation of this case, he abandoned his duty as a servant of the entire nation and took part in the insurrection crime through a series of acts before and after the declaration of martial law," a member of the special counsel team said.

Han has been indicted on charges of abetting the ringleader of an insurrection, playing a key role in an insurrection and perjury, all in connection with the martial law imposition, IANS reported.

In addition to attending a Cabinet meeting shortly before Yoon declared martial law on December 3, he allegedly revised the proclamation afterwards to enhance its legitimacy, discarded it and lied under oath at the Constitutional Court.

The special counsel team asked the court to consider the immense damage to the nation and the people, and his uncooperative attitude in the investigation process.

"This case was an act of terror on the democracy of the Republic of Korea, and the nation and the people as a whole were the victims," the team member said.

"By strictly punishing the defendant, we must ensure this unfortunate history of the Republic of Korea does not repeat itself," he added.

Han is expected to be the first to receive a verdict in the martial law case as the court previously stated plans to deliver its ruling on January 21 or 28 next year.