‘Yeoksam Fire’ suspect not to face attempted murder charge for now; police say further investigation is needed

[Financial News] Seoul Suseo Police Station has decided not to apply an attempted murder charge when seeking an arrest warrant for the suspect in the arson case. Although investigators confirmed indications that the suspect sought out a specific employee before the crime, they determined that further investigation is needed to prove intent to kill.
Police said on the 21st that Seoul Suseo Police Station plans to seek an arrest warrant for the suspect in the case on a charge of arson causing injury in an occupied building. It will review whether to apply an attempted murder charge after gathering additional evidence and questioning the victims.
Police have obtained a statement that the suspect sought out a specific employee shortly before committing the crime. Investigators believe the suspect entered the building carrying a container of flammable material and asked an employee whether a particular person was on duty. When the employee said they did not know the person and offered to find out, the suspect refused and then carried out the crime, according to investigators.
Police have obtained a statement that the suspect said he would get revenge on the landlord, but reportedly have not confirmed that he told neighbors he was going to kill someone.
Police say it is difficult to conclude, based only on the circumstances established so far, that the suspect intended to kill a specific person. They are also taking into account that in the previous crime, the suspect sprayed flammable material while directly facing the victim, whereas this time he sprayed it before entering the office without having come face-to-face with a specific person.
The fact that questioning of the victims is not yet complete is also cited as a reason for holding off on applying an attempted murder charge. Some victims are currently receiving treatment, making it difficult to obtain detailed statements, according to reports.
A police official said, “Some indications that a specific person was targeted have been confirmed, but further fact-finding is needed,” adding, “At the arrest warrant application stage, we plan to hold off on the attempted murder charge and review whether to change the charges after securing evidence.”
Meanwhile, police are awaiting the results of a second on-site forensic examination. They plan to use the findings to further determine the exact point where the fire started and the circumstances of the crime.
[email protected] Lee Dong-hyeok Reporter