South Korean court cuts Han Duck-soo’s jail term to 15 years

Chinese-language and regional Asian outlets describe the case mainly as a domestic political struggle inside South Korea. Coverage stresses the rare sight of a former prime minister receiving a long prison term, while also noting that the sentence was reduced on appeal. Commentators expect the ruling and the failed amendment vote to deepen partisan conflict but not to change South Korea’s foreign policy or economic ties.

• •Channel News Asia reports that Han Duck-soo’s sentence was cut to 15 years after his legal team challenged the original ruling.
• •Regional coverage notes that the martial law plan was linked to efforts to manage unrest during a political crisis in Seoul.
• •Commentators in this block argue that the case will sharpen divisions between South Korea’s main political parties.
• •Chinese and regional outlets stress that the affair is unlikely to affect South Korea’s trade or security ties with neighbours.
• •Reports link the abandoned constitutional amendment vote to fears that further debate could inflame domestic tensions.