The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of involvement in an insurrection stemming from the short-lived martial law order issued by Yoon in December 2024, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Park’s sentence exceeded the 20-year prison term sought by prosecutors, who argued that he had abused his authority to facilitate the implementation of martial law and undermined the rule of law.

According to prosecutors, Park convened a meeting of senior Justice Ministry officials during the early hours of the martial law declaration and reviewed prison capacity in anticipation of potential arrests of political opponents and government critics.

The court ruled that, as justice minister, Park had instructed officials to cooperate with the martial law command structure on the assumption that its decrees would take effect, Yonhap reported.

The verdict marks the latest conviction arising from Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law, which lasted approximately six hours before lawmakers entered the National Assembly and voted to overturn the measure during an emergency session.

The move triggered a political and institutional crisis that shook South Korea’s democratic system, sparked nationwide protests and rattled financial markets while drawing concern from key allies, including the United States.

Yoon has since been convicted of leading an insurrection and is appealing a life sentence. Earlier this month, he was also sentenced to 30 years in prison in a separate case after being found guilty of sending drones into North Korea in an alleged attempt to manufacture a security crisis that could justify emergency rule.

Several senior members of Yoon’s administration have also received prison terms.

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving a 15-year sentence, while former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was sentenced to nine years in prison. A former defense minister was jailed last week for three years after being convicted of disclosing classified military information connected to the martial law operation.

Separately, former first lady Kim Keon Hee is serving a four-year prison sentence for stock manipulation and bribery offenses unrelated to the martial law case.

The convictions represent one of the most extensive legal reckonings involving a former South Korean administration since the country’s transition to democratic rule, with prosecutors continuing to pursue accountability for officials involved in the failed attempt to impose emergency military authority.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency questioned Yang Jong-hwan, head of Shinsegae Group’s audit team, as a witness on Wednesday, according to a company spokesperson. The inquiry is linked to public complaints filed over Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” reusable cup promotion held on May 18.

The campaign sparked nationwide outrage because it took place on the 46th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, a pro-democracy movement that was violently suppressed by military forces. Official figures state that 165 civilians were killed during the crackdown, although activists and historians have long argued the actual death toll was significantly higher.

Starbucks Korea operates more than 2,000 stores nationwide under a licensing agreement with Shinsegae Group, making South Korea one of the coffee chain’s most important international markets. The controversy quickly escalated into a major corporate crisis, prompting Shinsegae to dismiss the head of its Korean operations on the day the scandal emerged.

Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin later issued a public apology, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and expressing regret for the distress caused to victims’ families, survivors and the wider public.

Despite those measures, a civic organization filed a legal complaint against Chung and other company executives. The complaint alleges violations of a 2016 law related to the Gwangju uprising, including provisions prohibiting the dissemination of false information about the historical event. The filing also includes allegations of defamation and insult.

The company said it would cooperate fully with investigators and hoped the facts surrounding the case would be clarified promptly and transparently. Police have not publicly commented on the investigation.

The backlash has had tangible business consequences. According to the company, sales declined sharply in the days immediately following the controversy as public anger intensified. Demonstrations were held in both Seoul and Gwangju, with critics accusing the company of insensitivity toward a defining moment in South Korea’s democratic history.

In response, Starbucks Korea announced that all stores nationwide will close for half a day next Monday to allow employees to attend educational sessions on the Gwangju uprising. Senior executives, including Shinsegae’s chairman, are scheduled to participate in a separate history program later in the week.

An internal review by Shinsegae concluded that a series of procedural failures contributed to the launch of the campaign, including the approval of promotional materials without adequate review of design content and timing.

The controversy also drew criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, who described the incident as “inhumane” and “disgraceful,” reflecting the sensitivity that still surrounds the legacy of the Gwangju uprising more than four decades after it became a symbol of South Korea’s democratic struggle.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said US and South Korean efforts to strengthen nuclear cooperation against Pyongyang would not change the country’s status as a nuclear weapons state.

“The ‘denuclearization’ is an irreversibly finalized matter,” the statement carried by state media KCNA said.

The remarks came after US and South Korean officials held talks in Seoul under the Nuclear Consultative Group, where they discussed strengthening nuclear deterrence and military readiness in response to North Korea’s expanding weapons program.

Washington and Seoul have repeatedly called for the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, while Pyongyang has insisted that its nuclear capabilities are necessary for national security.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have continued to rise as North Korea expands missile testing and deepens military cooperation with Russia.

Xi’s two-day trip to Pyongyang, his first in seven years, underscored efforts by Beijing and Pyongyang to revitalize a traditional alliance that has faced new challenges amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia and shifting regional geopolitical dynamics.

During a summit on Monday, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to Chinese and North Korean state media. Kim, in turn, described maintaining ties with China as a top strategic priority for his government.

The visit included a series of highly symbolic events aimed at highlighting historical bonds between the two neighbors. Xi and Kim visited a monument commemorating Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces during the 1950-53 Korean War and emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of bilateral cooperation and resistance against foreign pressure.

The two leaders also toured a Workers’ Party training institution and participated in a tree-planting ceremony intended to symbolize the long-term development of relations between their countries.

The summit came less than a year after Xi and Kim met in Beijing and reflected a broader effort by both governments to maintain strategic coordination amid growing uncertainty in Northeast Asia.

State media reports emphasized commitments to expand economic and political cooperation and highlighted North Korea’s support for China’s position on Taiwan under Beijing’s “one-China” policy.

Notably absent from official accounts of the talks was any public discussion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, a longstanding source of regional tension and a central issue in international diplomacy involving Pyongyang.

The omission has drawn attention among regional analysts. Some experts view the absence of references to denuclearization as a diplomatic advantage for North Korea, which has increasingly sought recognition as a nuclear-armed state while pressing for sanctions relief and greater international acceptance.

Ban Kil Joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, said the lack of discussion about denuclearization could be interpreted as China leaving room for broader acceptance of North Korea’s current strategic status rather than actively challenging it.

Analysts also see the visit as part of China’s effort to restore its influence over North Korea after Pyongyang deepened military and political cooperation with Russia in recent years. North Korea has strengthened ties with Moscow through support for Russian military efforts and expanded strategic cooperation, raising questions about Beijing’s traditional role as Pyongyang’s primary external partner.

Kim Gyubeom, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, said China appears to be pursuing a pragmatic approach that maintains communication and influence without applying significant pressure on North Korea, while prioritizing regional stability.

For Beijing, stronger ties with Pyongyang may also provide additional diplomatic leverage in its broader relationship with the United States. Analysts note that renewed Chinese influence over North Korea could become a factor in future dealings between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly indicated interest in restarting diplomacy with Kim.

The visit highlighted a convergence of interests between Beijing and Pyongyang as both governments navigate an increasingly complex regional environment marked by strategic competition, security concerns and shifting alliances across East Asia.

China and North Korea announced on Friday that Xi will make a state visit from Monday to Tuesday, where he is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The visit comes as North Korea deepens military and political cooperation with Russia and a day after Pyongyang unveiled a new facility that South Korea’s military assessed as a uranium enrichment plant.Analysts say Beijing is seeking to reinforce its influence in North Korea as Kim expands ties with Moscow while continuing to advance his nuclear weapons program.

Xi and Kim last met in Beijing in September, where they pledged closer cooperation. China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and key economic supporter despite international sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile activities.

The trip will be Xi’s first visit to North Korea in nearly seven years and highlights the strategic importance both countries place on maintaining close ties amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from Jongju, a city on North Korea’s west coast, and traveled toward the sea. The military did not immediately disclose the number of missiles launched or their flight distances.

Seoul said it had strengthened its surveillance and readiness posture following the launches and was closely coordinating with the United States and Japan on intelligence assessments and monitoring activities.
The test was North Korea’s first known missile launch since April 19, when Pyongyang fired multiple short-range missiles that state media described as part of an exercise involving cluster-bomb warheads.

The latest launch extends a pattern of weapons testing that has intensified as North Korea advances its military modernization programs.
Kim has prioritized the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and missile forces since negotiations with then-U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 without an agreement on sanctions relief and denuclearization.

Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving direct engagement with Kim. However, North Korea has largely ignored those overtures and has maintained that Washington must abandon demands for unilateral nuclear disarmament before meaningful negotiations can resume.

Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul have also deteriorated sharply. Kim has increasingly characterized South Korea as North Korea’s principal adversary and has moved to sever longstanding channels of inter-Korean cooperation and dialogue.

The missile launches came hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for accelerated efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities during a Cabinet meeting. Lee highlighted the importance of investing in artificial intelligence-driven military systems, expanding drone capabilities and examining the potential acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine.

While Lee did not directly address Tuesday’s missile launches, he emphasized the need for South Korea to demonstrate its ability to safeguard its own security interests. He said a stronger national defense posture would reinforce the country’s alliance with the United States.

The latest test is likely to draw renewed scrutiny from regional security partners as tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain elevated and diplomatic engagement between North Korea and its neighbors shows little sign of revival.

The discussions took place during recent meetings of the bilateral Integrated Defense Dialogue in Washington, according to a South Korean defense ministry spokesperson, who said talks had made “progress” but denied reports suggesting the move would create joint or divided control of the Demilitarized Zone.

“It is not joint management. Nor is it divided management,” the spokesperson told reporters. “It is making DMZ management in some sections more realistic.”

The Demilitarized Zone, established under the 1953 armistice that halted the Korean War, remains one of the world’s most heavily armed borders. The conflict ended without a formal peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war.

The United Nations Command, led by the United States, oversees the DMZ under the terms of the armistice agreement. Seoul said consultations with Washington were focused on technical and operational arrangements in certain sections of the border while respecting the authority of the UN Command.

The talks come amid renewed debate in South Korea over wartime operational control of allied forces. President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to seek the transfer of wartime command authority from Washington to Seoul during his presidency, which runs through 2030.

Under the current framework, the United States would command combined South Korean and U.S. forces in the event of war on the peninsula. Successive governments in Seoul, however, have sought greater military autonomy while maintaining the bilateral alliance.

The discussions also coincide with a broader recalibration in South Korea’s policy language toward North Korea. In its 2026 white paper, Seoul’s Unification Ministry described the two Koreas as effectively existing as separate states while reaffirming the long-term goal of reunification.

The shift reflects evolving security dynamics on the peninsula as North Korea continues expanding its missile and nuclear programs amid stalled diplomatic engagement with Washington and Seoul.

Wang, on a two-day visit to North Korea, said Beijing and Pyongyang should enhance communication “in the face of a turbulent and complex international situation,” according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.

The visit marks a renewed push to strengthen bilateral relations following a period of limited exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and comes as North Korea has also expanded engagement with Russia.

North Korean state media said Kim emphasized the importance of intensifying exchanges at multiple levels, describing closer ties as essential for safeguarding shared interests.

The report confirmed the meeting and highlighted mutual commitments to expand cooperation.Wang also held talks with his North Korean counterpart, pledging to build on what he described as positive momentum in relations and to advance practical cooperation between the two countries.

The diplomatic engagement comes ahead of a planned visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to China next month.

Trump has previously indicated interest in resuming dialogue with Kim, raising the prospect of renewed diplomatic activity on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang, on a two-day visit to the diplomatically isolated state his first since 2019 said the two countries should enhance communication on major international and regional issues while safeguarding their respective sovereignty and security interests, according to Chinese state media.

“China is willing to work with North Korea to maintain close communication and interaction, promote practical cooperation, and infuse new contemporary meaning into the traditional friendship,” Wang said, as reported by Xinhua.

The visit follows the resumption of transport links between the neighbors after pandemic-related disruptions, signaling a broader effort to restore economic and diplomatic engagement. China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and a crucial source of economic and political support.

Wang’s trip comes amid renewed efforts by Donald Trump’s administration to revive high-level talks with Pyongyang, with discussions potentially leading to a summit later this year, including during a possible Trump visit to Beijing in May.

The meeting underscores Beijing’s continued role in shaping regional dynamics on the Korean Peninsula at a time of heightened diplomatic activity involving major powers.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was analyzing the latest launch in coordination with U.S. authorities. A separate launch detected on Tuesday from the Pyongyang area is believed to have involved a ballistic missile, though officials said it may have failed shortly after takeoff.

Yonhap news agency, citing military officials, reported that Tuesday’s projectile flew eastward before showing signs of abnormality in the early stage of flight and disappearing. South Korean authorities are assessing whether the launch constituted a failed ballistic missile test.

Seoul typically confirms ballistic missile launches promptly as they violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, while taking a more cautious approach when projectiles may be cruise missiles or conventional weapons.

North Korea has consistently rejected UN restrictions on its weapons programs, arguing they infringe on its sovereign right to self-defense.

The launches come amid renewed tensions following statements from North Korean officials indicating no shift in their stance toward South Korea. Jang Kum Chol, a senior foreign ministry official, said Pyongyang continues to view Seoul as a hostile adversary despite recent diplomatic signals.

“The identity of the ROK, the enemy state most hostile to the DPRK, can never change with any words or conduct,” Jang was quoted as saying by state media KCNA, using the formal acronyms for South and North Korea.

His remarks followed earlier comments from Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which some in Seoul had interpreted as conciliatory after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions earlier this year.

Jang said those remarks were intended as a warning rather than a gesture of goodwill, underscoring Pyongyang’s continued hardline posture.
The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war, as the 1950–1953 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.