SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - A man in his 60s accused of starting a fire on Seoul’s Line 5 subway on May 31 appeared in court Monday for a detention hearing, two days after the blaze disrupted Seoul’s subway train service and sent dozens to the hospital.
The suspect, surnamed Won, was brought to the Seoul Southern District Court. The hearing, held to decide whether to formally detain him ahead of trial, lasted about 15 minutes.
Won faces charges of setting fire to a train in operation and causing injuries. He acknowledged the allegations during his brief exchange with the press. Asked if he admitted to the charges, he replied, "Yes." When pressed about nearly endangering hundreds of lives, he simply said, "I’m sorry."
Won denied pretending to be a victim during the evacuation but stayed silent when asked whether the act was premeditated or linked to frustration over his recent divorce case. A decision on the detention warrant is expected later in the day.
The fire broke out around 8:43 a.m. on May 31 between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations. According to police, Won boarded the train with gasoline, poured it inside a carriage, and lit clothing on fire using a torch-style lighter. He allegedly told investigators that he purchased the fuel two weeks earlier and carried out the act due to resentment over his divorce ruling.
The blaze injured 23 people, including Won. All were treated for smoke inhalation or minor injuries. Another 129 passengers received on-site care. One subway car was partially destroyed, with damages estimated at 330 million won ($240,209).
Police are reviewing CCTV footage and conducting forensic analysis on Won’s phone to verify his statements.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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