Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Chief justice attacked by Molotov cocktail
The car of Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su is on fire at the entrance of the court in southern Seoul, Tuesday, after an old man threw a Molotov cocktail at it. / Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
A man threw a Molotov cocktail at the car of Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su who was on his way to work, police said Tuesday.
The man allegedly did so out of anger at a civil case ruling against him.
The 74-year-old, identified by his surname Nam, threw the firebomb at 9:05 a.m. at the car while it was entering the Supreme Court building in southern Seoul.
One of the back tires of the vehicle caught fire but it was immediately extinguished by security guards. Kim suffered no injuries.
Parts of Nam's clothing also went up in flames but these were smothered and he had no injuries.
Police detained Nam and took him in for questioning. They also confiscated Nam's bag and found four more 500 milliliter plastic bottles containing paint thinner.
According to the police, the suspect has been staging a one-man protest in front of the top court for three months, calling for a new trial in his civil suit. Both district and high courts previously ruled against Nam, and after appealing to the Supreme Court, he started the one-man rally, Sept. 20, demanding to meet Kim.
Nam told police that he bought the paint thinner at a paint shop in Seoul the previous day.
Officers are looking into the possibility of an accomplice. They also plan to send the case to the prosecution recommending the seeking of an arrest warrant.