Prosecutors Appeal 12-Year Sentence for Seoul Subway Line 5 Arsonist

The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict that sentenced a man in his 60s to 12 years in prison for setting fire to a Seoul Subway Line 5 train.

Fire scene CCTV. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to legal sources on October 17, the prosecution filed a notice of appeal with the 15th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Yang Hwansung) on this day.

The 15th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Yang Hwansung) sentenced Mr. Won to 12 years in prison and ordered three years of probation on October 14. At the sentencing hearing on September 16, the prosecution had sought a 20-year prison term for Won, who is 67 years old.

Won was charged with pouring gasoline on the floor and setting it on fire inside a train traveling through the tunnel between Yeouinaru Station and Mapo Station on Line 5 at around 8:42 a.m. on May 31, in an attempt to kill 160 passengers, including himself, but failed. He is also accused of injuring six passengers.

Due to the fire, 23 people, including Won, were transported to the hospital after inhaling smoke, and 129 people received emergency treatment at the scene. In addition, part of one train car was destroyed, resulting in property damage exceeding 300 million won.

Investigations revealed that Won was dissatisfied with the outcome of his divorce proceedings, which had not been in his favor, and contemplated suicide. He decided to commit the crime on public transportation, believing it would draw public attention.

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