"Bongdaesan Fire Squirrel" Arrested Again for Arson... Hamyang Wildfire Suspect Detained

Suspected of Arson in Three Separate Wildfires in Hamyang and Namwon After Release from Prison
Previously Set Over 90 Wildfires in Bongdaesan Area

The suspect in the first major wildfire of the year, which occurred in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province, has been identified as the so-called "Bongdaesan Fire Squirrel," who had a history of habitually starting wildfires over an extended period in the Bongdaesan area of Ulsan in the past.

The Criminal Investigation Squad of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on March 16 that they had urgently arrested and detained a man in his 60s, identified as Mr. A, on charges including violation of the Forest Protection Act, for allegedly setting fire to a hill in Changwon-ri, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County.

According to police, Mr. A is suspected of setting consecutive wildfires on hillsides in Baegil-ri, Sannae-myeon, Namwon City, North Jeolla Province on January 29; Gaheung-ri, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province on February 7; and Changwon-ri, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County on February 21.

Photos of wildfire extinguishing site in Hamyang County

The wildfire that broke out at 9:14 p.m. on February 21 in Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, spread rapidly due to strong winds, making suppression efforts difficult. The affected area reached approximately 234 hectares, equivalent to about 327 soccer fields, with one vinyl greenhouse and one farm hut completely destroyed by fire.

During the investigation, Mr. A was found to have a record of starting wildfires more than 90 times in the Bongdaesan area of Dong-gu, Ulsan, between 1994 and 2011. Due to frequent wildfires at the time, which increased forest damage and anxiety among residents, a reward of up to 300 million won was offered for his capture.

After being apprehended in March 2011, Mr. A was prosecuted for committing arson 37 times on Bongdaesan and elsewhere between 2005 and 2011 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Because the statute of limitations for forest arson is seven years, only offenses committed after December 2005 were prosecuted.

He was also ordered to pay approximately 420 million won in damages in a compensation lawsuit filed by Dong-gu, Ulsan.

After being released from prison in 2021, Mr. A reportedly moved to his hometown of Hamyang and has been living there. Through joint forensic analysis, CCTV footage review, and search and seizure operations, the police identified Mr. A and apprehended him on March 13.

During police questioning, Mr. A reportedly stated that he "felt exhilarated after watching recent wildfire news and could not resist the urge to set fires."

The police plan to investigate whether Mr. A committed additional offenses and will soon refer the case to the prosecution.

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