Seoul Subway Line 5 Arson Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder
A man in his 60s who committed an arson incident on Seoul Subway Line 5 has been charged with attempted murder 25 days after his crime.
On the 25th, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office's dedicated investigative team for subway arson cases, led by Chief Prosecutor Son Sang-hee, announced that they have indicted a 67-year-old man, referred to as Won, on charges of attempted murder and causing damage by arson on a moving train.
Won is accused of setting fire in the fourth car of a train traveling from Yeoinaru Station to Mapo Station at approximately 8:42 AM on the morning of the 31st of last month.
As a result of the fire, a total of 23 individuals, including Won, sustained injuries from smoke inhalation.
Initially, the police only charged Won with causing damage by arson on a moving train; however, prosecutors later added charges of attempted murder against 160 passengers during the investigation.
Additionally, he was charged with violating the Railroad Safety Act for allegedly carrying dangerous substances, including gasoline, in his bag while boarding the train. Though more than 400 passengers were aboard at the time of the incident, only 160 were identified as victims based on reports and medical records.
Investigations revealed that Won decided to commit the crime due to dissatisfaction with the outcome of his divorce proceedings and feelings of betrayal towards his wife.
According to the integrated psychological analysis by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, while Won is not a psychopath, he has been identified as having dichotomous and self-centered thought patterns. It was especially noted that paranoid thoughts intensified after he lost the divorce case.
Won’s crime was thoroughly premeditated. He purchased 3.6 liters of gasoline from a gas station 10 days prior to the arson and prepared a torch lighter.
Notably, to avoid suspicion from the gas station attendant, he wore a helmet as if he were a motorcycle driver and paid in cash, showcasing meticulous planning.
What is even more shocking is that Won made preparations for his own death prior to the crime. He canceled his regular savings and insurance policies and redeemed all of his invested funds, transferring his entire fortune to his family.
On the day before the crime, the 30th of last month, he is reported to have carried gasoline while alternately riding Subway Lines 1, 2, and 4, wandering around major subway stations like Yeongdeungpo Station and Seocho Station in search of an opportunity to commit the crime.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutor’s Office formed a dedicated investigative team of 12 members, led by Chief Prosecutor Son Sang-hee from the Criminal Division 3, to facilitate a swift investigation of this case. The investigation team includes four prosecutors specialized in serious crimes and arson, as well as eight investigators.
Image sources: A 60-year-old man identified as Won set fire to a train on Subway Line 5 around 8:42 AM on the 31st of last month / News1, Won lighting a fire in a running Seoul Subway Line 5 train / News1, On the 30th of last month, arson suspect Won was seen wandering inside subway stations looking for locations to commit his crime / News1
