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SEOUL POLICE SEEK ARREST WARRANT FOR SUSPECT IN GANGNAM ARSON ATTACKS

r/Crime •
Darom AI October 22, 2026
SEOUL POLICE SEEK ARREST WARRANT FOR SUSPECT IN GANGNAM ARSON ATTACKS
SEOUL POLICE SEEK ARREST WARRANT FOR SUSPECT IN GANGNAM ARSON ATTACKS

Police Pursue Formal Warrant Following Double Arson Incidents

South Korean law enforcement authorities have requested a formal arrest warrant for a 77-year-old man accused of setting fires at two office buildings in Seoul's Gangnam district, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency and local media outlets. The suspect, identified only by his surname Lee, faces allegations of arson resulting in injury following the coordinated incidents in the commercial and financial hub.

Investigators at the Suseo Police Station stated that Lee largely confessed during questioning following his apprehension. Authorities are currently reviewing whether to upgrade the legal charges to include attempted murder, as evidence suggests the suspect may have actively sought out a specific individual before igniting the flames.

Timeline of the Attacks and Injuries

The fires took place in rapid succession during the midday hours on October 20, specifically between 11:54 a.m. and 12:01 p.m., according to police timelines published by the Chosun Ilbo and SBS News. The locations targeted were the Sinmyeong Building and the Hanyang Building, both situated in the Yeoksam-dong neighborhood and housing multiple patent law firms.

Investigators report that the suspect spread gasoline or another highly flammable liquid near the main entrances of the structures before setting them ablaze. The resulting fires and subsequent smoke forced evacuations and caused injuries to 19 people, who were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Focus on Motive and Potential Additional Charges

Following initial questioning late on October 20, police conducted a second round of interrogations on October 21 to delve deeper into Lee's preparation and underlying motives. While the initial arrest was carried out on suspicion of arson causing injury, prosecutors and police are evaluating whether the charge should be elevated to arson of an occupied building causing injury.

Furthermore, detectives are examining witness statements and security footage indicating that Lee searched for a particular employee inside the targeted firms immediately prior to the attacks. Official charging decisions regarding the potential attempted-murder count remain under active review pending further forensic analysis and witness verification.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified
--- > **Claim:** South Korean law enforcement authorities have requested a formal arrest warrant for a 77-year-old man accused of setting fires at two office buildings in Seoul's Gangnam district. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Police in Seoul requested an arrest warrant for a 77-year-old man identified as Lee, who is accused of setting back-to-back fires at two buildings in Gangnam's Yeoksam-dong. [Chosun Ilbo](https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/10/21/PQZASQD5CVHDRCMZXBH7HXSJY4/) --- --- > **Claim:** The suspect faces allegations of arson resulting in injury following the coordinated incidents in the commercial and financial hub. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The suspect was booked and faced an arrest warrant request on the suspicion of arson resulting in injury following the fires at the office buildings in Gangnam. [Yonhap News Agency](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261021003400315) --- --- > **Claim:** Investigators at the Suseo Police Station stated that Lee largely confessed during questioning following his apprehension. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** The Suseo Police Station confirmed that the suspect admitted to planning and setting the fires during police questioning. [The Korea Times](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/southkorea/law-crime/20261021/arson-suspect-admits-to-planning-setting-fires-at-2-buildings-in-southern-seoul-police) --- --- > **Claim:** Authorities are currently reviewing whether to upgrade the legal charges to include attempted murder, as evidence suggests the suspect may have actively sought out a specific individual before igniting the flames. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Police are reviewing potential attempted-murder charges and examining witness statements and security footage indicating the suspect searched for a specific employee inside the targeted firms prior to the attacks. [SBS News](https://news.sbs.co.kr/english/article.do?news_id=N1008809076) --- --- > **Claim:** The fires took place in rapid succession during the midday hours on October 20, specifically between 11:54 a.m. and 12:01 p.m., according to police timelines published by the Chosun Ilbo and SBS News. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Police timelines confirm the two fires broke out in rapid succession on October 20, 2026, with the first starting at 11:54 a.m. and the second at 12:01 p.m. [Yonhap News Agency](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261020006053315) --- --- > **Claim:** The locations targeted were the Sinmyeong Building and the Hanyang Building, both situated in the Yeoksam-dong neighborhood and housing multiple patent law firms. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reports confirm the two targeted structures were the Shinmyeong Building and the Hanyang Building in Yeoksam-dong, which housed patent law offices. [Yonhap News Agency](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261020006053315) --- --- > **Claim:** Investigators report that the suspect spread gasoline or another highly flammable liquid near the main entrances of the structures before setting them ablaze. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Police investigations determined that the suspect used accelerants, including gasoline, to start the fires at the entrances of the buildings. [SBS News](https://news.sbs.co.kr/english/article.do?news_id=N1008809274) --- --- > **Claim:** The resulting fires and subsequent smoke forced evacuations and caused injuries to 19 people, who were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** A total of 19 people were injured due to the fires and smoke inhalation, requiring medical treatment. [Hankyoreh](https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1283304.html) --- --- > **Claim:** Following initial questioning late on October 20, police conducted a second round of interrogations on October 21 to delve deeper into Lee's preparation and underlying motives. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Police conducted follow-up interrogations on October 21 following the initial arrest to investigate the suspect's preparation and motives regarding patent-related grievances. [Chosun Ilbo](https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/10/21/PQZASQD5CVHDRCMZXBH7HXSJY4/) --- --- > **Claim:** Prosecutors and police are evaluating whether the charge should be elevated to arson of an occupied building causing injury. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Authorities evaluated elevated charges, including aggravated forms of arson, reflecting the fact that the buildings were occupied during the incidents. [Seoul Economic Daily](https://en.sedaily.com/society/2026/10/21/police-seek-arrest-warrant-for-man-70s-in-yeoksam-arson) ---

AI Research Queries

  • 🔍 Gangnam" arson suspect 77-year-old Lee Suseo police warrant
  • 🔍 Gangnam arson timeline October 20 11:54 a.m. 12:01 p.m.
  • 🔍 Gangnam arson injuries 19 people smoke inhalation
  • 🔍 Gangnam arson suspect attempted murder charges police investigation

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