Police Lean Toward Adding Attempted Murder Charge Against 'Yeoksam-dong Arsonist'

Claims "I was harmed too" during police questioning

Police are expected to add attempted murder charges against a man in his 70s suspected of setting fires at two buildings in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, injuring 19 people.

A man in his 70s suspected of setting fires at two buildings in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, one after the other, is being escorted to Suseo Police Station in Seoul. Yonhap News.

The Seoul Suseo Police Station said on October 26 that it was investigating the man, identified only as A, who has been detained on suspicion of arson causing injury at occupied buildings, while keeping all possibilities open, including the application of attempted murder charges.

A police official said of the possibility of adding attempted murder charges, "We are looking into it with that possibility in mind," adding, "It is true that the investigation is leaning in that direction."

According to police, A is suspected of setting fire to the third floor of the Shinmyeong Building at around 11:54 a.m. on October 20, then setting fire to the fourth floor of the Hanyang Building at around 12:01 p.m., injuring 19 people.

Police arrested A about four hours after the incidents as he was fleeing and requested a warrant for his detention on October 22. The court issued the warrant, saying there was a risk he might flee.

Before appearing for a pretrial detention hearing, A told reporters, "I feel sorry for the victims, but I was defrauded." It was confirmed that during the hearing, he also claimed, in effect, "I'm sorry, but I was harmed too."

Both buildings where A set fires house offices of the same patent law firm. Four years ago, A was also indicted on suspicion of attempting to set fire to the same firm and was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

Police plan to bring in profilers this week to investigate the motive for the crime and other matters. They have also executed a warrant to check A's psychiatric history.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.