Daegu Police Agency Final Investigation Briefing
Diary Suggesting Crime Found on Laptop
Five Including Building Owner Booked Without Detention
On the 10th, the police and the National Forensic Service conducted a detailed investigation at the arson scene of a lawyer's office in Suseong-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] It has been revealed that Cheon Mo (53), the arsonist responsible for the fire disaster at a lawyer's office in Suseong-gu, Daegu, had meticulously planned the arson for five months prior to the incident. In January, Cheon even wrote on his laptop a note suggesting the crime, stating, "I bought gasoline to turn the lawyer's office into a sea of fire."
On the 13th, the Daegu Police Agency held a briefing to disclose the results of their analysis of computers and smartphones seized from Cheon's residence and other locations. The police analyzed Cheon's card usage history up to January of this year, when he wrote the note, but were unable to determine the exact places and times where he purchased gasoline and weapons.
According to the police investigation, Cheon invested hundreds of millions of won in a redevelopment project but did not receive his returns. In 2016, he filed a lawsuit against the project developer's representative to recover his investment. After losing consecutive trials, he harbored resentment against Bae Mo (72), the legal representative of the opposing party, and set fire to the Ujeong Court Building in Suseong-gu, Daegu, where Bae's office was located. Bae was absent at the time of the incident and thus escaped harm, but six others, including lawyers sharing the same office and Cheon himself, died at the scene.
The police have booked the building owner, Mr. A, along with two managers and two private fire inspection company officials, without detention, on charges including violations of the Fire Safety Act, Building Act, and professional negligence causing injury. They are suspected of using and managing the building while blocking emergency exit routes and guide lights with office walls. The police closed the case against the deceased arsonist Cheon with a "no prosecution" decision.
Earlier, on June 9 at around 10:55 a.m., Cheon entered Room 203 on the second floor of the Legal Affairs Building in Beomeo-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu, carrying a container filled with gasoline and set fire. As a result, seven people, including Cheon and lawyers and staff present at the scene, died, and 50 others were injured.
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