On the early morning of 15th, when it was expected that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) would re-execute the arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk-yeol, a fire believed to be arson occurred at the main headquarters of the Democratic Party in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
On the 17th, an official from the Yeongdeungpo Police Station stated in a call with CHOSUNBIZ, "A fire broke out around 12:11 a.m. on the 15th in an open area next to the Democratic Party headquarters," adding, "The possibility of arson has not yet been confirmed, but an investigation is underway."
The fire was completely extinguished within 15 minutes, and aside from some charring of the exterior wall of the headquarters, it is reported that there was no significant damage. The police are conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the possibility that someone intentionally set the fire by analyzing the scene's closed-circuit television (CCTV).
An official from the Yeongdeungpo Police Station noted, "During the investigation, there was someone who needs to be confirmed regarding the attempted arson, such as throwing a cigarette butt near the Democratic Party headquarters," adding, "As a result of tracking this person, it has been confirmed that they are a man in his 50s, referred to as A, who attempted self-immolation in front of the CIO on the afternoon of the 15th."
On the afternoon of the 15th, A attempted self-immolation by igniting combustible material in a parking lot across from the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gwacheon City, where the CIO is located. He suffered third-degree burns over his entire body and was transported to the hospital, where he is reported to have not yet regained consciousness. The official stated, "We need to summon A for questioning, but it is currently impossible."