# Former PM Han Duck-soo Faces Release Due to Supreme Court Delays Judicial backlog in insurrection case risks releasing high-profile defendant before final verdict. - **Source:** [Kyunghyang](https://www.khan.co.kr) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c9f8af3f-f6fd-4fd6-a0d3-95e3bcf50eef ## Imminent Detention Expiration Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, sentenced to 15 years for insurrection, faces potential release as his detention period expires on December 20. The Supreme Court scheduled a second hearing for December 19, just one day before the deadline. Legal experts consider a final verdict on that same day highly unlikely. ## Judicial Process Hurdles The Supreme Court en banc panel has no precedent for delivering a verdict on the same day as a hearing. Prosecutors cannot easily request additional detention warrants for other pending cases, such as the constitutional judge appointment trial. Consequently, the court may be forced to cancel detention or grant conditional bail. ## Criticism of Court Delays Legal observers and senior judges are criticizing the Supreme Court for its slow handling of this high-stakes case. Despite the Special Counsel Act suggesting a three-month timeline for appellate rulings, the court has exceeded these limits. This delay has sparked concerns regarding the judiciary's efficiency in managing historically significant criminal trials. ## Strategic Trial Sequencing Some analysts suggest the delay stems from the court's desire to synchronize rulings with the trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, the alleged leader of the insurrection. Judges argue that issuing verdicts on accomplices before the primary leader's case is finalized creates an awkward legal sequence, complicating the overall judicial strategy. ## Institutional Balancing Act Supreme Court officials emphasize the necessity of a thorough trial over rapid processing, citing the immense gravity of the insurrection charges. While acknowledging the public demand for a swift conclusion, the court maintains that complex historical cases require extensive deliberation. Balancing speed with legal accuracy remains a significant institutional challenge. ## Conditional Release Possibilities If the detention period expires without a verdict, the presiding justice may cancel the detention entirely, allowing unconditional release. Alternatively, the court could impose conditional bail, requiring residency restrictions or signed pledges. Similar measures were previously applied to other high-ranking officials, though some defendants have historically refused such conditional terms. ## Broader Legal Implications The potential release of a defendant sentenced to 15 years in a lower court highlights systemic issues within the appellate process. Critics argue that the court's failure to meet statutory guidelines undermines public trust in the legal system. The outcome will likely trigger intense scrutiny regarding judicial accountability and case management. ## Future Judicial Outlook The upcoming December 19 hearing serves as a critical juncture for the Supreme Court's reputation. Whether the court manages to expedite the process or allows the detention to expire will set a precedent for future insurrection-related trials. Observers are watching closely to see if the judiciary can resolve this impasse. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202611102133035/?utm_source=khan_rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=total_news — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._