Inhaling Butane Gas in Department Store Restroom and Threatening Arson to Police, Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 20s who inhaled butane gas in a department store restroom and even threatened to set fire to a police officer was sentenced to prison.

On the 7th, Judge Park Sung-gyu of the Criminal Division 4 at the Seoul Southern District Court announced that he sentenced Lee (22), who was indicted for violating the Chemical Substances Control Act (inhalation of hallucinogenic substances) and obstruction of special official duties, to two years in prison.

Lee was prosecuted for inhaling butane gas, which he had previously possessed, by breathing it in at the men's restroom of a department store in Seoul between 3:00 PM and 9:40 PM on July 11.

Additionally, when police officers who responded to the report opened the restroom door, Lee allegedly pressed the butane gas outlet for more than 10 seconds to release gas and pressed the torch ignition button to try to set fire to the restroom, threatening, "If you come in, I will burn you."

Investigations revealed that Lee has multiple prior convictions, including a three-month prison sentence for nighttime trespassing and theft, for which he served time in prison.

Judge Park pointed out, "Lee has multiple prior prison sentences for similar or different crimes and did not reform during the recidivism period, leading to the offenses in this case, indicating a weak will to comply with the law."

He added, "Considering the circumstances, methods, and content of the offenses, the nature of the crimes is serious," emphasizing, "Among the several crimes committed by Lee, especially the obstruction of special official duties is a crime that undermines the state's legal order and requires severe punishment."

However, Judge Park explained the sentencing by stating, "Lee ran away from home at a young age due to an unfortunate family environment and inhaled butane gas for a long time, which led to the offenses in this case," and "He has a strong desire to live a new life after receiving psychiatric treatment."

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