Supreme Court Refers Han Ducksoo and Lee Sangmin Rebellion Case to Full Bench...“Judicial Review of Historical Significance Needed”

"Significant Public Interest"


Both Cases to Be Reviewed Together Due to Accomplice Relationship

The full bench of the Supreme Court will review the case involving former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who are charged with participating in major acts of rebellion.

Judge Lee Jingwan is presiding over the first trial of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on charges including aiding a rebellion and perjury at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 30th. September 30, 2025 Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the 5th, the Supreme Court stated, "Both cases are of significant public interest, require judicial evaluation from a historical perspective, and since the defendants are considered accomplices, there is a need to review them together." Accordingly, the cases have been referred to the full bench at the request of each respective panel.

Former Prime Minister Han's case had previously been handled by the Supreme Court's Second Division (presiding Justice Oh Kyung-mi), while former Minister Lee's case was heard by the Third Division (presiding Justice Lee Heung-gu). With this referral, both cases will now be adjudicated by all Supreme Court Justices except for the Chief of the Court Administration Office.

Ordinarily, appeals at the Supreme Court are reviewed by a four-justice panel. However, if there is disagreement within the panel, a need to overturn an established precedent, or if the case generates high public interest making it inappropriate for a smaller panel, it is referred to the full bench.

Former Prime Minister Han was indicted for proposing a cabinet meeting to make the December 3, 2024 declaration of martial law appear as if it had been deliberated by cabinet members and for trying to obtain their signatures after the declaration, among other allegations. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison in the first trial, but the penalty was reduced to 15 years on appeal.

Former Minister Lee is accused of receiving instructions from former President Yoon Suk-yeol to blockade key institutions such as the National Assembly and to order the shut-off of power and water to media companies, and then instructing the head of the National Fire Agency to coordinate with the police to carry out these actions. He was sentenced to seven years in prison in the first trial, but the sentence was increased to nine years on appeal.

As former Prime Minister Han and former Minister Lee, along with Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-suk's team, all appealed the appellate court's rulings, the final decision will be made by the Supreme Court.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.