Seoul Suseo Police Station referred a man surnamed Lee to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Thursday on two charges, alleging he planned fires to kill random people, The Korea Herald reported, citing police. The charges are arson resulting in injuries and attempted murder.
Lee was arrested Oct. 20 after fires at patent firms in separate Gangnam buildings. The Korea Herald reported that the fires injured people, including a patent attorney who went into cardiac arrest. Lee said he did not intend to hurt anyone and accused both firms of defrauding him. Police also used criminal profilers to examine his motive and checked whether he had a mental illness, the outlet reported.
Police cited several actions as evidence the fires were planned. Lee canceled his mobile phone service and told his landlord he would end his lease, despite having nine months remaining. He cleared belongings from his home on Oct. 19, according to police. Investigators also pointed to Lee’s acquisition of two containers and two lighters over the period from Sept. 24 to Oct. 5, and his purchase of gasoline on Oct. 19.
A police committee decided Wednesday to make Lee’s identity public, citing the evidence against him and the severity and violence of the crime. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to post his information online for 30 days, starting about 7 p.m. ET Monday, Nov. 2 (9 a.m. KST Tuesday, Nov. 3). Police said Lee had not submitted a written objection.
