SEOUL — A South Korean appeals court on Thursday reduced the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo by eight years for crimes related to ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. The court in Seoul cut the term to 15 years from the 23-year sentence imposed by a lower court in January. "We sentence the defendant to 15 years in prison," the presiding judge said.

The appeals court maintained most of Han's convictions but reduced the penalties after taking into account his more than 50 years as a public official prior to the martial law declaration. "The records also make it difficult to find evidence showing that the defendant participated more actively in the insurrection, such as by conspiring in advance or systematically leading the operation," the judge said.

The judge also addressed Han's conduct during the proceedings. "Han Duck-soo had abandoned the grave responsibilities arising from the authority and position entrusted to him and instead sided with those participating in the acts of insurrection," the judge said.

Han, 76, wore a white shirt and a dark suit with no tie and listened to the verdict without showing much emotion. He has been imprisoned since his original sentence in January, which covered charges of engaging in the insurrection, perjury and falsifying an official document. He denied wrongdoing on all charges except perjury and expressed regret that he could not stop Yoon from declaring martial law.

Yoon's decree in December 2024 briefly suspended South Korea's civilian government and lasted about six hours before opposition lawmakers overturned it in a vote. The decree led to a lower court sentencing Han to 23 years in January before the appeals court reduced that term on Thursday.

Han, a technocrat who served in senior posts under five presidents, became acting president after Yoon was impeached. He was later impeached himself on accusations of aiding Yoon in declaring martial law. The Constitutional Court overturned that impeachment and restored his powers before he resigned to run in a snap election in June. He ended his presidential bid following rifts among conservatives.

Yoon, a former career prosecutor, was handed a life sentence in February on charges of masterminding an insurrection and faces eight separate trials. He denied the charges, arguing he had presidential authority to declare martial law and that his action aimed to sound the alarm over obstruction by opposition parties. He apologized for the frustration and hardship brought upon the people by his decree but said he stood behind the sincerity and purpose of his actions.