Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty in a second case under Hong Kong's national security law. Wong, a former student leader in the pro-democracy movement, is facing charges related to the law introduced in 2020 to address unrest following large-scale anti-government protests in 2019. He could receive a life sentence, and a sentencing date is expected soon. Wong is already serving a four-year and eight-month prison term from a previous conviction under the same law, which was tied to an unofficial primary election. Pleading guilty in this case might lead to a lighter sentence. Before his arrest in June 2025 for this new charge, Wong, a well-known figure in the pro-democracy movement, was expected to be released in January 2026. Wong was accused of conspiring with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to encourage foreign governments, organizations, or individuals outside China to impose sanctions, blockades, or take other hostile actions against Hong Kong or China between July and November 2020. This offense carries a prison sentence of three to 10 years, or potentially life imprisonment if the court deems it to be of a "grave nature." The charges relate to efforts to gain international support for the pro-democracy movement during a period of heightened political tension in Hong Kong. Joshua Wong first gained prominence in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in Hong Kong schools. His role expanded during the 2014 "Occupy Movement," a large-scale pro-democracy protest, where he became a leading student figure. In 2016, Wong co-founded the political group "Demosisto" with other young activists, including Nathan Law, who became Hong Kong's youngest lawmaker that year. During the 2019 protests, Wong played a key role in seeking international support for the movement, including from the United States. However, Chinese authorities criticized these actions, claiming they involved foreign interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs. The national security law, introduced in 2020, led to the dissolution of Demosisto, which authorities said was necessary to maintain stability in the region. Many other prominent activists were arrested under the law, including former media mogul Jimmy Lai. Some activists fled to democratic countries like the U.S. and the U.K. Hong Kong authorities have also offered rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,600) for information leading to the arrest of activists such as Nathan Law, who now resides in the U.K.