Seoul court detains man for Yeoksam building arson attacks

Yeoksam arson Seoul Central District Court patent law firm arson Gangnam-gu arson arrest

A man in his 70s has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to two buildings in the Yeoksam-dong area of Gangnam-gu, Seoul, injuring 19 people. The Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrant on October 22, citing a risk of flight.

The incidents occurred on the morning of October 20, when the suspect set fires on the third floor of the Shinmyeong Building and the fourth floor of the Hanyang Building. Both locations housed patent law firm offices. One victim, a patent attorney, was hospitalized in cardiac arrest following the fires.

Police believe the motive was resentment toward the patent firms, which the suspect suspected of fraud during his patent registration process. During his court appearance, the suspect denied intending to kill anyone, stating he only intended to “scare” them and expose the alleged fraud.

The suspect has a prior criminal record, having been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison four years ago for attempting to set fire to two patent law firms in the same area. Authorities are currently investigating the suspect's mental health history and considering additional charges of attempted murder.

Entities

Hanyang Building · Seoul Central District Court · Seoul Suseo Police Station · Shinmyeong Building · Yeoksam-dong

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] One patent attorney was hospitalized in cardiac arrest. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] A man in his 70s was arrested by the Seoul Central District Court. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] The suspect believes the patent law firms committed fraud during his registration process. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] The court issued the arrest warrant due to a risk of flight. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] The suspect was previously sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for attempting similar arson attacks four years ago. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] The arson attacks injured 19 people. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 2 SOURCES] Police are considering adding attempted murder charges. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr
[● 3 SOURCES] The fires occurred at the Shinmyeong Building and the Hanyang Building in Yeoksam-dong. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.seoul.co.kr