'Discontent with Society': Man in His 40s Sentenced to 3 Years for Serial Arson of Parked Cars

Committed Another Crime Just 5 Months After Release
"If I Hadn't Been Caught, I Would Have Continued"

Gwangju District Court Building.

A man in his 40s who set fire to parked vehicles in succession to express his discontent with society has been sentenced to prison.

On January 21, the 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Park Jaesung) announced that it had sentenced Mr. A (45), who was indicted on charges of arson of a motor vehicle and attempted arson of a motor vehicle, to three years in prison.

Mr. A was charged with setting fire to, or attempting to set fire to, four parked passenger cars in the Nam-gu area of Gwangju between August 20 and 21 last year.

According to the investigation, Mr. A, who works as a scrap collector, committed the crimes by igniting old clothes or pillows he had prepared in advance and placing them near the wheels of the cars.

As a result of these fires, two vehicles were burned, causing property damage estimated at a total of 23 million won according to the fire department, while the other two vehicles were not set ablaze due to failed attempts.

It was revealed that Mr. A had previously served a prison sentence for the same crime of arson of a motor vehicle in 2023 and committed the new offenses just about five months after being released.

The court stated, "The defendant, out of anger and discontent with society, committed arson on four occasions over two days, targeting vehicles belonging to unspecified victims. This created public danger, and none of the property damage has been recovered."

In particular, the court explained the sentencing by noting, "During the police investigation, the defendant stated that he would have continued committing arson if he had not been caught, indicating a serious level of hostility toward society. Considering the high likelihood of reoffending upon release, it is an appropriate measure to isolate the defendant from society for a significant period to protect public safety."