Police Urgently Arrest Suspect in Cheonggyecheon Serial Arson Case

Suspected Arson at Sindang, Hwanghak, and Changsin-dong Early on Lunar New Year's Day

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The suspect in the serial arson case at Cheonggyecheon in Seoul, which occurred in the early hours of Lunar New Year’s Day on the 22nd, has been apprehended by the police. The Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul urgently arrested a man in his 50s, identified as Mr. A, in Banghwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, around 5 p.m. on the same day on charges of arson of an occupied building and is currently investigating him.

According to the police, Mr. A is suspected of deliberately setting fires at three locations, including a residential area near Sindang Station in Jung-gu and the Hwanghak-dong and Changsin-dong neighborhoods, between 1 and 2 a.m. that day. The fires partially burned building exteriors or nearby stacked boxes and were extinguished within 30 to 40 minutes. There were no casualties.

The police believe the fires were likely arson, given that they occurred consecutively within an hour in adjacent areas, and have been tracking the suspect’s whereabouts through closed-circuit television (CCTV) near the fire sites. A police official stated, "Since Mr. A has voluntarily admitted to the crimes, we are investigating any additional offenses," adding, "Considering the seriousness of the case, we plan to apply for an arrest warrant."