First appellate ruling in the insurrection case: will sentencing standards be set?

As the Seoul High Court’s dedicated panel for insurrection cases delivered its first appellate ruling on the Dec. 3 insurrectionrelated case on the 7th, attention is focused on what standards will be applied to the trials of other defendants, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol. This ruling concerned the appeal in the case against former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, charged with important duties in an insurrection, and the panel sentenced him to 15 years in prison. The panel said that former Prime Minister Han had failed in his responsibilities as Prime Minister and Deputy Chair of the State Council, but added that it was difficult to conclude that he had conspired in advance or led the effort in an organized manner. So far, at the trial court level, the judgment has been the same that the Dec. 3 martial law constituted insurrection, but the responsibility and sentences for each defendant have varied greatly. As cases related to the insurrection, including that of former President Yoon, are being heard by the same High Court insurrection panel, attention is being paid to whether this ruling will serve as an opportunity to establish sentencing standards for future appeals.