Seoul arson suspect referred to prosecution for attempted murder

The Korea Times - Oct 29, 2026

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 o

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