A man in his 60s, surnamed Won, who was arrested by police on suspicion of setting fire on the Seoul Metro Line 5 train while in operation, appeared at the Seoul Southern District Court on the 2nd for a pre-arrest interrogation (warrant review). The decision on whether to detain Mr. Won is expected to be made as early as that day.
Mr. Won, who appeared at the Seoul Southern District Court that morning, responded "Yes" when asked by reporters if he committed the act to publicize the results of his divorce proceedings.
However, he did not answer other questions such as, "Did you plan in advance and set the fire?", "You almost caused a major human accident; do you have anything to say about that?", and "What specifically were you dissatisfied with regarding the divorce results?".
Mr. Won is suspected of committing arson by sprinkling gasoline inside the train running between Yeoinaru Station and Mapo Station around 8:43 a.m. on the 31st of last month and igniting his clothing.
As a result of the fire, 23 people, including Mr. Won, were transported to hospitals due to smoke inhalation, and 129 received treatment at the scene. Additionally, property damage of approximately 330 million won occurred, including partial loss of one subway car.
The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul urgently arrested and investigated Mr. Won, later applying for a detention warrant. It is reported that Mr. Won set the fire due to dissatisfaction with the results of his divorce proceedings and stated to police that he purchased the gasoline to commit the act at a gas station two weeks prior.