Han Duck-soo likely freed as Supreme Court weighs appeal

South Korea's Supreme Court has scheduled a second deliberation on former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's appeal against his insurrection conviction for 19 November, a day before his six-month detention period expires, Yonhap reported on Tuesday, 10 November. Because the detention cannot be extended again, Han is likely to be released while the court continues to consider the case. Han was convicted at trial and on appeal over his role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law on 3 December 2024. A Seoul district court sentenced him to 23 years in January after finding him guilty on several charges, including playing a key role in an insurrection. An appeals court later sentenced him to 15 years. His appeal to the Supreme Court is pending. The Supreme Court referred the case to its full bench in August, citing public interest and its historical importance, which has lengthened the proceedings. The court has also set 19 November for deliberation on the appeal of former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who was sentenced to nine years on appeal over his role in the martial law bid; his detention runs until 18 December.