On the 24th, the special prosecutor's office filed for an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. He faces charges of aiding insurrection, perjury, creating false public documents, and damaging public records. This is the first time an arrest warrant has been sought for a former prime minister.
The special prosecutor's team categorized Han as a suspect of "aiding the insurrection leaders" in the warrant application. As the Prime Minister, he serves as the president's primary advisory body, required to assist the president in upholding the constitution and fulfilling constitutional duties while also having an obligation to provide checks. The explanation notes that he neglected his responsibilities by aiding former President Yoon Suk-yeol's illegal declaration of martial law.
Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young said at a press briefing that "the former prime minister, as vice chair of the State Council, is a constitutional body that could have prevented the unconstitutional and unlawful martial law in advance," adding, "Considering the role of a prime minister, we filed for an arrest warrant based on the judgment that he did not fulfill that role."
The special prosecutor's team indicated in the warrant that Han's suggestion to convene a State Council meeting before the declaration of martial law was not aimed at preventing it, but rather to provide a procedurally legal appearance.
It was also noted that Han was preoccupied with filling the 11-member quorum needed for the State Council meeting, neglecting to ensure proper "State Council deliberations." His involvement in "the preparation and disposal of the post-declaration document for martial law" was seen as part of efforts to remedy procedural defects.
Han also faces charges for preparing and disposing of a post-declaration document to address the legal flaws in the initial martial law declaration document. After the martial law was enacted, on Dec. 5 of last year, he is accused of signing a false martial law declaration document drafted by former Chief Secretary to the President, Kang Ui-gu, alongside former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and then instructing its disposal, citing concerns that "if it becomes known that the document was created post facto, another controversy could arise."
Based on these circumstances, the special prosecutor's team believes that the former prime minister's claim that "the meeting of the State Council was convened to oppose the declaration of martial law" lacks credibility. He maintained that he had no recollection of receiving the martial law declaration document from former President Yoon but is reportedly said to have reversed his position during recent special prosecutor investigations, indicating he did receive the document.
The pre-arrest interrogation of Han is expected to take place on the 26th or 27th. If the court issues the warrant, it will be recorded as the first arrest case for a former prime minister.