Police and firefighters at the scene of an attempted self-immolation. Provided by Yongsan Fire Station. 

A man in his 70s is receiving treatment at the hospital after attempting self-immolation near the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

According to police and firefighters on the 26th, the man, identified as Mr. A, in his 70s, suddenly set himself on fire while exiting a public restroom in a children's park near the Presidential Office around 11:10 PM the previous day.

The fire was quickly extinguished by a member of the 202nd Guard Unit, responsible for external security of the Presidential Office, who sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.

Mr. A sustained second-degree burns to his face and was transported to a nearby hospital. He is reportedly not in life-threatening condition.

No suicide note was found with Mr. A, and he is reported to have made no specific statements.

The police plan to investigate the detailed circumstances once Mr. A's condition stabilizes.

Yonhap News