A South Korean court sentenced former Yongsan police chief Lee Im-jae to three years in prison for his role in the 2022 Itaewon Halloween crowd crush that killed 159 people. This marks the first conviction of senior officials over the disaster, which could have been prevented with proper crowd control measures. Two other police officers received two-year and suspended one-year sentences, respectively. The court ruled the tragedy as a 'man-made disaster,' criticizing the lack of preparedness and response. Victims’ families and opposition politicians continue to call for accountability from higher-level officials, including the Minister of the Interior and Safety. Trials for other senior officials, including the former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, are ongoing.