Seoul arson suspect referred to prosecution for attempted murder
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…
The suspect in last week's arson attack on two buildings in southern Seoul has been referred to prosecutors, with additional charges of attempted murder filed after police concluded the crime was premeditated with the intent to kill random individuals. The 70-year-old suspect, identified as Lee, was arrested on October 20 following the fires at patent firms in two separate buildings in Seoul's Gangnam Ward.
The infernos left 26 people injured, including a patent attorney who suffered cardiac arrest. Despite Lee's claim of no intention to harm anyone, the Seoul Suseo Police Station transferred him to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on Thursday, charging him with arson resulting in injuries and attempted murder. Police stated that Lee had purchased two containers and two lighters between September 24 and October 5, filling them with gasoline purchased on October 19 to prepare for the crime.
The investigation revealed the cancellation of Lee's credit card on October 19, further supporting the premeditated nature of the attack.
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