30s Sent to Prosecution for Arson at Jogyesa Daeungjeon Hall

A man in his 30s who set fire near the Daeungjeon Hall of Jogyesa Temple was arrested by the police. On the 19th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul announced that they had arrested A (35) on the spot and are currently investigating him on charges of setting fire near the Daeungjeon Hall of Jogyesa Temple, damaging part of a mural. Around 2 a.m. that day, A, intoxicated, set fire to a bag soaked with a volatile substance near the Daeungjeon Hall building of Jogyesa Temple and was caught by the police who responded to the report. The photo shows the scorched exterior wall of the Daeungjeon Hall caused by A's arson that day. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A man in his 30s who attempted to set fire to the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple while intoxicated has been handed over to the prosecution.

Seoul Jongno Police Station announced on the 25th that they sent Song Mo (35), who is suspected of entering Jogyesa Temple at dawn and setting fire to the mural on the wall of the Daeungjeon building, to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment.

Song is accused of entering Jogyesa Temple around 2 a.m. on the 19th while intoxicated and setting fire to his bag using lighter fluid near the exterior wall of the Daeungjeon building (attempted arson of a dwelling, etc.).

The fire was extinguished within five minutes by a security guard on duty, but the bag burned, scorching part of the mural painted on the exterior wall of the Daeungjeon building. It is known that the fire did not directly spread to the mural. Song was intoxicated at the time of the incident. He was arrested by police who responded to the report and was detained the next day. During the police investigation, he reportedly stated that he did not remember due to intoxication.

Song was also charged with violating the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. The Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple, where Song set the fire, is designated as Seoul City Tangible Cultural Property No. 127, and next to the Daeungjeon is Baeksong, Natural Monument No. 9.

The Cultural Heritage Protection Act stipulates that those who commit arson against nationally designated cultural properties can be punished under Article 165 of the Criminal Act for "arson of public buildings." According to Article 165 of the Criminal Act, if arson causes damage to public buildings, the offender may face life imprisonment or imprisonment for at least three years.

Jogyesa Temple is located in the heart of Jongno-gu, Seoul. It is the head temple and main headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, housing the General Affairs Office and the Central Council.

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