"‘I will set the National Assembly on fire’ - 50s caught in the act for drunk driving after voluntarily reporting to 112"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 50s who drove tens of kilometers under the influence of alcohol, threatening to set fire to the National Assembly, was caught by the police.

On the 23rd, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul announced that they had arrested and were investigating Mr. A (57) on charges of attempted arson and violation of the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving).

Mr. A is accused of calling 112 at around 9:32 p.m. the previous day from Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, saying, "I will set fire to the National Assembly," and then driving under the influence to the vicinity of the National Assembly in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

After receiving Mr. A's voluntary report, the Northern Gyeonggi Police Agency confirmed the vehicle number based on the report history and informed the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Police officers patrolling near Yeouido found the vehicle and arrested Mr. A on the spot.

At the time of arrest, Mr. A's blood alcohol concentration far exceeded the license cancellation level of 0.08%, and the vehicle contained a lighter and fuel.

A police official stated, "We plan to review the application for an arrest warrant after investigating the detailed motive for the crime."