Yeoksam Building Serial Arsonist Is 77-Year-Old Lee Myeongsoo... Suspect's Identity Released

Made public on the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency website for 30 days
Suspect arrested on suspicion of arson and attempted murder

The identity of Lee Myeongsoo, 77, who was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to two buildings in succession in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, has been released.

On November 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency posted the name, age and mugshot of Lee Myeongsoo, who was arrested on suspicion of arson of an occupied building resulting in injury and attempted murder, on its website. The suspect’s personal information will be made public for 30 days.

Earlier, on October 28, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency convened a committee to review the disclosure of personal information and decided to release details about Lee Myeongsoo, who was arrested on suspicion of arson of an occupied building resulting in injury and attempted murder.

The committee found that the severity of the harm and the cruelty of the method used in the crime had been established, and that there was sufficient evidence. It also determined that releasing the suspect’s personal information was necessary in the public interest, including to prevent repeat offenses and crime.

Lee is suspected of setting fire to the fourth floor of Hanyang Building at around 11:53 a.m. on October 20, then setting fire to the third floor of Sinmyeong Building at around 11:59 a.m., injuring a total of 26 people. He was arrested by police about four hours after the alleged crimes on the street in front of Exit 10 of Dongmyo Station in Jongno-gu and was taken into custody two days later.

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