"Act of Terrorism": 20-Year Sentence Demanded for Subway Arsonist... Sentencing Next Month

Prosecution: "Threatened 160 Innocent Passengers and Social Safety... Severe Punishment Unavoidable" ... Over 300 Million Won in Train Damage

60s Arsonist: "Nothing to Say, I Am Reflecting"... Defense Attorney Requests leniency, citing divorce lawsuit

 Subway Arsonist in his 60s Indicted: "Act of Killing Comparable to Terrorism"... CCTV Released

(Seoul=Yonhap News) The special investigation team (Team Leader Son Sang-hee) for the 'Subway Line 5 Arson Case' at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 25th that it had indicted Mr. Won (67) on charges of attempted murder, causing injury by arson to a current train, and violation of the Railway Safety Act. Charges of attempted murder, which were not included at the police stage, were added. The photo shows the arson scene. 2025.6.25 [Provided by Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office. Reproduction and database prohibited]

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Soo-hyun = The prosecution has demanded a severe sentence for a man in his 60s who was put on trial for allegedly setting fire to a moving Seoul Subway Line 5 train. Earlier, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office had indicted the suspect, applying charges of attempted murder, which were not considered at the police stage, calling it an "act of killing comparable to terrorism."

At the sentencing hearing for Mr. Won (67) held on the 16th at the Criminal Division 15 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Yang Hwan-seung), the prosecution requested a sentence of 20 years imprisonment, 10 years of electronic ankle monitoring, and 3 years of probation.

In its closing argument, the prosecution stated, "The defendant, motivated by dissatisfaction with the outcome of his divorce lawsuit, set fire to a subway train passing through a tunnel under the Han River, endangering 160 innocent passengers and social safety."

It was emphasized that "considering the creation of social fear and anxiety, and the fact that a major casualty could have occurred if evacuation had been delayed even slightly, a severe sentence is unavoidable."

Mr. Won is accused of pouring gasoline on the floor of the train and setting it on fire in the tunnel section between Yeouinaru Station and Mapo Station on Line 5 on May 31st, in an attempt to murder passengers, which resulted in a failed attempt.

Although the fire did not spread due to the non-combustible interior materials, the train interior descended into chaos. 23 passengers were transported after inhaling smoke, and 129 received on-site treatment. Property damage exceeding 300 million won, including the loss of the train, occurred.

It was investigated that Mr. Won had intended to commit suicide due to the unfavorable divorce lawsuit ruling and decided to commit the crime on the subway to attract public attention.

In his closing statement, Mr. Won's defense attorney appealed for leniency, requesting consideration of the fact that the arson was committed to inform society of the injustice of the divorce ruling, that the defendant has confessed and is reflecting, and that the damage was not severe due to the prompt extinguishment of the fire.

In his final statement, Mr. Won briefly said, "I have nothing to say," and "I am reflecting."

The first-instance sentencing will be held on October 14th at 10 AM. Yonhap News

Subway Line 5 Arsonist's Warrant Hearing (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jin-wook = A man in his 60s who set fire to a Seoul Subway Line 5 train is seen arriving at the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, for a warrant hearing on the 2nd. 2025.6.2 cityboy@yna.co.k