'3 Dead in Motel Arson' Sentenced to 20 Years in First Trial... "Still Denies Crime"

At around 2:39 a.m. on November 25 last year, a fire caused by arson broke out at a motel in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, resulting in 3 deaths and 5 injuries. The fire started when a man in his 60s, who had been staying long-term on the first floor of the building, set fire to his room in a fit of anger after an argument with the motel owner over asking for alcohol. A police line was set up around the motel where the fire occurred that morning. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jung] Jo Mo (70), who set fire to a motel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, causing the deaths of three people, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Moon Byung-chan) sentenced Jo to 20 years in prison on the 21st for charges including arson resulting in death of an occupied building. The court pointed out, "He has not been forgiven by the victims and their families and denies the crime in court, showing no sign of remorse or intention to improve."

On November 25 last year, at around 2:38 a.m., Jo, who was staying at a motel in Mapo-gu, demanded alcohol from the owner, Park, but after being refused, got into an argument and set fire with a lighter in his own room. The fire caused the deaths of three out of 14 motel guests due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and five others including Park were injured.

Jo's side has claimed in court that "he did not set the fire, and even if he did, he did not intend to kill anyone by setting the fire."

The court stated, "The defendant confessed during police investigation that he tried to set fire to his clothes with a lighter, but when it did not catch well, he lit a piece of paper and transferred the fire to his clothes," and added, "The fire investigation results also indicate that the fire started in room 101 of the motel where the defendant was staying," concluding that Jo intentionally committed arson.

The court reprimanded Jo, saying, "He has been sentenced to suspended prison terms three times for attempted arson of an occupied building, and committed the crime again during the probation period. Despite setting fire to a motel where many people stay, he fled alone, resulting in three deaths and five injuries, making the nature of the crime extremely serious." The prosecution had previously requested a 30-year prison sentence during the final hearing.

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