Anti-THAAD protester dies day after setting himself on fire

By You Soo-sun

An activist died Wednesday, a day after he set himself ablaze to protest the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system.

Jo Young-sam, 58, was transferred to Hallym University Medical Center in Yeongdeungpo-dong, southwestern Seoul after people found him and put out the fire. He died while receiving treatment at the hospital Wednesday morning. He reportedly suffered from third-degree burns.

Jo left behind a four-page written letter revealing his opposition to THAAD and hopes for the Moon Jae-in administration. It read, “The installation of THAAD only fuels nerves and threats of war,” and “I wish for the success of the current administration, which has sprung from the candle light revolution. I also hope it will stand up to the U.S.”

“I have supported and revered the President since I was in Germany long ago,” he wrote. He took refuge in Germany for 18 years after illegally visiting North Korea in 1995. He returned to South Korea in 2012 and served one year in prison for the unauthorized visit.

Civic groups held an emergency press conference at the hospital, Wednesday morning, to voice their opposition to the missile defense system.