‘Attempted Arson at Dongdaemun-gu Office Warehouse’ Vietnamese Migrant Woman Sentenced to 9 Months Imprisonment, Prosecutors Appeal

3-Year Prison Sentence Requested in First Trial

The prosecution appealed after a Vietnamese migrant woman, who attempted arson at the Dongdaemun-gu Office warehouse and damaged an electric cart used by the district office's service company, was sentenced to 9 months in prison.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office announced that Ms. A, who was indicted on charges including attempted arson of a public building, appealed the first trial's sentence of 9 months in prison.

Ms. A immigrated to Korea from Vietnam through marriage but became a basic livelihood security recipient after divorcing in 2016. After wandering between a goshiwon, jjimjilbang, and a women's homeless shelter for over two years, she began camping and sleeping outdoors by the Jungnangcheon riverside in 2019. The district office repeatedly requested her to leave, and Ms. A broke machines in the district office warehouse and set a fire.

A prosecution official stated, "Considering the serious risk that could have led to a large-scale fire, we sought a 3-year prison sentence, but the sentencing did not reflect the severity of the crime," adding, "We will ensure that a punishment commensurate with the crime is imposed."