"Why Am I the Only One Making Money?"... Head of Household Attempts to Set Fire to Vinyl Greenhouse Home

First Trial: 1 Year Prison Sentence with 2 Years Probation
"Significant Casualties Possible if Not Prevented"

A head of a household in his 60s who threatened to set fire to a vinyl greenhouse where his family lived together was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 30th, Judge Park Hyunjin of the Chuncheon District Court Wonju Branch Criminal Division 2 sentenced Mr. A (66), who was indicted on charges of attempted arson of a dwelling, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension. Mr. A was also placed under probation.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of attempting arson at a vinyl greenhouse in Wonju, Gangwon Province, around 9:35 p.m. on May 17. Mr. A, his wife Mrs. B, and their son Mr. C were using this vinyl greenhouse as a residence. After having an argument with his wife Mrs. B and then fighting with his son Mr. C who tried to intervene, Mr. A allegedly brought a 20-liter kerosene container and a gas torch and attempted to set fire. The police, who arrived promptly after a report from son Mr. C, arrested Mr. A immediately, preventing the arson from occurring.

It is known that Mr. A harbored resentment toward his wife and son because he thought "other family members had no significant economic income, and only he was struggling," which led to this incident. During the trial, Mr. A claimed, "I had no intention to commit arson," but the court did not accept this. This was because Mr. A had a history of causing a similar disturbance six days before the incident. On May 11, Mr. A also caused a commotion by threatening to set fire while holding a fuel container and a gas lighter after an argument with his wife.

Judge Park stated, "Considering that Mr. A took out the fuel container hidden by his son, prepared the gas torch, and said, 'I will set fire and kill everyone,' it can be concluded that the defendant had the intent to commit arson," adding, "He prepared the fuel container and gas torch to attempt arson, and if his son and the police had not intervened, there was a significant risk of loss of life and property damage." However, regarding the sentencing, the judge explained, "The defendant supports his wife and son, has been detained for more than a month, and the spouse and son do not wish for punishment, which were taken into consideration."

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