Gangnam arson suspect’s personal information to be disclosed on the 3rd of next month; committee recognizes brutality of crime

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 28th that its Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee had met and decided to disclose the personal information of the suspect in the arson case that occurred in Gangnam-gu on the 20th.

The committee found that the harm was serious, the means used in the crime were brutal, and there was sufficient evidence of the crime. It also considered disclosure necessary in the public interest, including to prevent repeat offenses and crime.

However, because the suspect did not state in writing that they had no objection to the decision to disclose their personal information, it was decided that the information would be released after the statutory waiting period.

Under the current Act on the Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects in Specific Serious Crimes, etc., a waiting period of at least five days must be observed from the day the suspect is notified of the disclosure. If the suspect states in writing that they have no objection, the information may be disclosed without a waiting period.

Accordingly, police plan to disclose the suspect’s personal information on the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency website for 30 days starting at 9 a.m. on the 3rd of next month.