Former Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has testified that former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo did not oppose former President Yoon Suk-yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration.

After taking the stand at Han's trial at the Seoul Central District Court on Monday, Choi said he remembered former Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol speaking in opposition to Yoon's plan when the Cabinet first heard of it, but that he did not remember Han doing so.

Choi said he also tried to dissuade Yoon, but that the former president had said his decision was “irreversible.”

His previous testimony that he did not recall seeing presidential documents containing guidelines related to “securing reserve funds” or "blocking funds from the National Assembly," was questioned after CCTV footage indicated otherwise. 
 
He told the court that the day martial law was imposed, December 3, 2024, was so surreal and shocking that he had fragmented memories of his own actions during that time.

Choi reiterated that he did not have prior knowledge of Yoon’s martial law plan.
 
During Choi's testimony, prosecutors and the court pressed the witness on his inability to recall specific situations. Choi told the court he was answering in good faith.

Han was indicted and charged with abetting the ringleader of an insurrection in connection with December's martial law imposition, perjury and falsifying official documents.