Dobong-gu Apartment 'Christmas Fire'... 70s Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Safe

Charges of Gross Negligence and Death by Gross Negligence

A man in his 70s who was charged with causing the initial ignition of a fire that occurred last Christmas at an apartment in Dobong-gu, Seoul, was sentenced to the maximum imprisonment term of 5 years in the first trial.

On the 4th, Judge Choi Hyung-jun of Criminal Division 8 at the Seoul Northern District Court held a sentencing hearing for Kim, a man in his 70s, who was indicted on charges of arson and gross negligence causing death, and sentenced him to 5 years in prison. This corresponds to the maximum statutory penalty applicable to the case.

Kim was indicted on charges of causing a fire while smoking in his home on the 3rd floor of an apartment in Dobong-gu, Seoul, at around 4:59 a.m. on December 25 last year, which resulted in the deaths of two residents of the same apartment and injuries to 27 others, some seriously. The death toll rose to three after a resident who was hospitalized died on June 6.

Judge Choi explained the sentencing by stating, "Based on various investigation results, the fire occurred because the defendant smoked inside the apartment shared with several neighbors and failed to completely extinguish the cigarette embers. Furthermore, despite being aware of the fire, he committed a serious negligence by not taking measures to prevent the spread of smoke."

He continued, "A precious life was lost, and the bereaved families suffered unbearable pain and wounds, losing their loved ones in an instant. Nevertheless, the defendant showed an evasive attitude and has not been forgiven by the victims or their families, necessitating a severe punishment."

The victims' families who attended the trial on that day shed tears, saying, "We are grateful for the maximum sentence given by the court, but we will never be able to forgive the defendant for life." They added, "Any parent with children would understand, but our lives have collapsed since the accident. Still, it is very regrettable that 5 years imprisonment is the maximum sentence, and we hope the law will be amended."

It was confirmed that Kim smoked in a room piled with newspapers and garbage bags, left a cigarette butt with embers still burning, and left the room, which caused the fire. It was also revealed that at the time of the accident, Kim opened the front door and room door wide, allowing a large amount of air to flow in, which intensified the fire and expanded the damage.

During the fire, a man in his 30s living directly above Kim on the 4th floor died after jumping while holding his 7-month-old baby. The initial reporter, a man in his 30s living on the 10th floor, was found in cardiac arrest on the emergency stairs and eventually passed away.