'Yeoksam-dong Arson' Suspect's Personal Information to Be Disclosed Starting Nov. 3

To Be Posted on Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Website for 30 Days
Committee Cites Brutality; Suspect to Be Transferred to Public Prosecution Office on Oct. 29

The personal information of a suspect in a series of arson attacks on two buildings in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, will be disclosed.

A man in his 70s, identified only as A, is suspected of setting fires at two buildings in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, one after the other. Yonhap News Agency

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on October 28 that its Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee had decided to disclose the personal information of Mr. A, a man in his 70s who was arrested on suspicion of arson of occupied buildings resulting in injury.

The committee found that the severity of the harm and the brutality of the method used in the crime had been established, and that there was sufficient evidence of the crime. It also deemed disclosure of the suspect's personal information necessary to serve the public interest, including preventing repeat offenses and crime.

The suspect's personal information will be posted on the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's website for 30 days starting at 9 a.m. on November 3.

Because Mr. A did not indicate in writing that he had “no objection” to the decision to disclose his personal information, the legally required waiting period will apply.

The Act on the Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects in Specific Serious Crimes, Etc. requires a waiting period of at least five days from the date the suspect is notified of the disclosure decision. The waiting period may be waived if the suspect indicates in writing that he has “no objection.”

Mr. A was arrested on October 20 on suspicion of setting fires at two buildings near Yeoksam Elementary School in Gangnam-gu, injuring 19 people. Police plan to transfer Mr. A to the Public Prosecution Office on October 29.

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