South Korean police officers jailed

A South Korean court sentenced Lee Im-jae, former chief of the Yongsan police station, to three years in prison for his failure to manage the crowd during the 2022 Halloween crush in Itaewon that resulted in 159 deaths. This marks the first conviction of senior police officials in connection with the disaster, which has been deemed a 'man-made disaster' by the court. Lee and two other officers were found guilty of professional negligence, having failed to foresee and respond adequately to the dangers posed by the large gathering. The court highlighted that the crowd control measures were insufficient despite multiple emergency calls about overcrowding prior to the tragedy. While Lee was convicted, the district office chief Park Hee-young and other officials were acquitted, leading to criticism from bereaved families. The incident has reignited calls for accountability among high-ranking officials, including the Minister of the Interior and Safety, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of one of its deadliest peacetime disasters.