Jeju Seongsan Port Fishing Boat Arson Suspect in 50s Urgently Arrested

"Drunk, I don't remember" denies the crime

On the 4th, three longline fishing vessels docked at Seongsan Port in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju caught fire. Photo by Seogwipo Coast Guard. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] A suspect in the arson case involving three fishing boats at Seongsan Port in Seogwipo, Jeju, has been apprehended by the Coast Guard.

The Seogwipo Coast Guard announced on the 6th that they have urgently arrested and are investigating a man in his 50s, identified as A, on suspicion of setting fire to the vessels.

A is suspected of setting fire to three fishing boats docked at Seongsan Port at around 4:27 a.m. on the 4th. The fire spread to the fuel on the boats and was extinguished around 5 p.m., about 12 hours later. During the process, one fire truck was also completely destroyed.

The Seogwipo Coast Guard confirmed A’s arson suspicion and vehicle number through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage around the scene and, after inquiries, urgently arrested A at a parking lot in Seongsan-eup at around 11:45 a.m. on the 5th.

According to the investigation, at around 3:11 a.m. on the 4th, A arrived at the area where the boats were docked in his own car, took out a white object from the trunk, inserted it into the fuel tank, and then removed it. Shortly after A left the scene, flames erupted with explosive sparks.

During the Coast Guard investigation, A denied all charges, claiming he was intoxicated and has no memory of the incident.

The Coast Guard plans to apply for an arrest warrant for A after securing additional evidence and conducting further investigation into the exact motive.

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