South Korean Lawmakers Demand Arrest of Former PM Han Duck-soo Amid Martial Law Controversy

In a dramatic escalation of South Korea's political turmoil, opposition lawmakers have intensified their push for accountability, formally seeking the arrest of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The demand stems from his alleged pivotal role in advocating for a highly controversial martial law decree, announced and swiftly withdrawn by President Yoon Suk-yeol in December 2024.

The Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers, leading the charge, filed a formal complaint with the high prosecutor's office on Monday, urging immediate action.

Their accusations are grave: attempting to subvert the constitutional order and abuse of power. These charges underscore the profound political and legal ramifications of the martial law episode that gripped the nation just months ago.

Han Duck-soo, who served as Prime Minister under President Yoon, found himself at the heart of the storm.

He publicly championed the martial law decree, controversially citing threats from "anti-state forces" as justification for the extraordinary measure. This declaration, issued by President Yoon on December 3, was met with widespread public outrage and condemnation, with many likening it to a coup attempt against democratic institutions.

The decree, which would have granted the military sweeping powers and imposed severe restrictions on civil liberties, was seen by critics as a brazen overreach of executive authority.

The swift and decisive reaction from the public and the National Assembly left the government reeling. Within hours of its announcement, the National Assembly convened an emergency session, overwhelmingly voting to repeal the decree. Faced with an undeniable political firestorm, President Yoon had no choice but to withdraw the contentious order.

While President Yoon swiftly revoked the martial law, the shadow of the incident continues to loom large over his administration and its key figures.

Han Duck-soo, having been instrumental in advocating for the decree, has since been questioned by prosecutors regarding his involvement. However, the opposition's latest move to secure an arrest warrant signals a new level of determination to pursue criminal charges, moving beyond mere questioning.

This political drama unfolds against a backdrop of persistently low approval ratings for President Yoon Suk-yeol, making his administration particularly vulnerable to such challenges.

The demand for Han's arrest highlights the deep divisions within South Korean politics and the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic principles against perceived executive overreach. As the legal process unfolds, the nation watches closely, anticipating the next chapter in this high-stakes political saga.