Sentenced to Prison for Setting Fire to Studio Apartment Overdue on Rent Out of Fear Someone Would See His Trash-Filled Room

"I Set the Fire Because I Was Afraid Someone Would See" Statement
About 10 Million Won in Unpaid Rent Over Five Years

A man in his 30s who set fire to his own studio apartment after being unable to pay overdue rent due to financial hardship has been sentenced to prison.

On April 21, the 12th Criminal Division of the Jeonju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Dohyeong, announced that it had sentenced Mr. A (38), who was indicted on charges of arson of an inhabited building, to two years in prison.

Mr. A was indicted for setting fire to the multi-family house where he lived at around 7:40 a.m. on November 10 last year. Except for a small area, Mr. A's room was filled with all kinds of garbage. It was reported that he set the fire after failing to pay more than 10 million won in rent from several years ago until one month before the crime.

During the investigation, Mr. A stated, "I was worried that someone might see the piles of garbage in my room since I couldn't even pay the rent," and added, "I thought I could get rid of all the garbage if I set a fire."

Exterior view of the new Jeonju District Court building located in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. Jeonju District Court

The court pointed out, "The defendant set fire to a studio building where many people live for a reason that is difficult to understand," and added, "Even though the building was actually damaged by the fire, the defendant made no effort to restore the damage."

However, the court stated, "There was no significant human injury as a result of this fire, and the defendant, who is a first-time offender, suffers from anxiety and depressive disorders. These factors were taken into consideration in determining the sentence."