A Drunk Man in His 30s Arrested for Arson at Jogyesa Daewoongjeon Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A man in his 30s who tried to set fire to a temple while intoxicated was arrested by the police.

On the 19th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul announced that they had arrested and were investigating A (35) on charges of attempted arson of a general building for setting fire to the outer wall of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple, damaging part of the mural.

At around 2 a.m. that day, A entered Jogyesa Temple, set fire to his bag using lighter fluid, and placed it near the north outer wall of the Daeungjeon building. He was caught in the act by police who responded to the report and arrested him on the spot.

The fire was extinguished within five minutes, but as the bag burned, part of the mural painted on the outer wall of the Daeungjeon building was reportedly scorched.

At the time of the crime, A was intoxicated. The police initially detained A in a holding cell.

The police plan to investigate the exact motive for the crime once A sobers up. They also intend to determine whether the damaged mural is a cultural property.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.