Seoul arson suspect referred to prosecution for attempted murder
Summary
Seoul Suseo Police Station referred Lee, a man in his 70s, to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Thursday on charges of arson resulting in injuries and attempted murder. Police said they concluded the fires at two patent firms in Seoul’s Gangnam Ward were planned with intent to kill unspecified people. The blazes injured 26 people, including a patent attorney who suffered cardiac arrest. Lee has denied intending to hurt anyone and has repeatedly alleged that the firms defrauded him.
Key Facts
- Police said Lee bought two containers and two lighters between Sept. 24 and Oct. 5, then filled the containers with gasoline purchased Oct. 19.
- Police cited Lee’s cancellation of his mobile phone subscription, his request to end a lease with nine months remaining, and his disposal of belongings at home as evidence of premeditation.
- A police committee decided Wednesday to disclose Lee’s identity, citing the severe harm, the violent nature of the crime and clear evidence against him.
- Lee’s personal information is scheduled to be posted on the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency website for 30 days starting around 9 a.m. Nov. 3; police said he did not submit a written objection.
The suspect in last week's arson fire at two buildings in Seoul enters Seoul Central District Court for questioning, Oct. 22. Yonhap
Police referred the suspect in last week's arson fire at two buildings in southern Seoul to prosecutors Thursday, pressing additional charges of attempted murder after determining that the crime was premeditated with intent to kill random people.
The suspect in his 70s, surnamed Lee, was taken into custody on Oct. 20 shortly after setting fires at two patent firms in two separate buildings in Seoul's Gangnam Ward. The blazes left 26 people injured, including a patent attorney, who suffered cardiac arrest.
Lee claimed he had no intention of hurting anyone, but the Seoul Suseo Police Station sent the suspect to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on Thursday on charges of arson resulting in injuries and attempted murder, after concluding that the attack had been planned in advance with intent to cause the deaths of unspecified people
According to police, Lee purchased two containers and two lighters between Sept. 24 and Oct. 5. He filled the two containers with gasoline he purchased on Oct. 19, indicating he had prepared tools for the crime.
Police also viewed the cancellation of his mobile phone subscription earlier this month and his notification to his landlord to terminate his lease, despite having nine months remaining, as evidence of premeditation.
On Oct. 19, Lee disposed of his belongings at home. On the day of the incident, after receiving his security deposit back from the landlord, he was overheard muttering to himself, "(You) should not sit idly if (they) commit fraud," according to police.
As he was led out of the police station, the suspect claimed police failed to investigate his claims that both patent firms had defrauded him — an allegation he has repeatedly raised since his apprehension.
When reporters asked why he set the fires, he told them to stop asking about it and to be quiet when asked if he felt sorry for the victims.
During the investigation, police deployed criminal profilers to determine his motive and checked whether he had any mental illness.
On Wednesday, a police committee decided to make the suspect's identity public, citing the severe harm caused, the violent nature of the crime and the clear evidence against him.
His personal information will be posted on the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency website for 30 days starting at around 9 a.m. on Nov. 3, as he did not submit a written objection to the decision, according to the police.
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