Upset Over Divorce Case, Man Sets Fire To Moving Seoul Metro. Video Goes Viral

A 67-year-old man has been officially charged in connection with a fire that broke out on a moving subway train in Seoul late last month. He will now be facing trial for charges of attempted murder, arson, and violations of the Railway Safety Act over the incident, which caused injuries and extensive damage, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office confirmed, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Identified as Won, the man had set fire inside a subway train on Seoul Metro Line 5, when it was travelling through the tunnel under the Han River, between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations at around 8:42 AM on May 31.

According to authorities, the accused reportedly doused the subway compartment with gasoline and used his own clothes to ignite the fire.

This isn’t a K-movie! 😱
Today, surveillance footage from the Seoul subway arson criminal case on May 31 was released, showing the inside of the train car.
Many criticized China, saying subway security checks are unnecessary.
This Korean case proves security checks are very… pic.twitter.com/zTvlWbQ93X

— ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) June 25, 2025

The blaze triggered panic onboard and sent smoke billowing through the train. A total of 22 passengers were hospitalised due to smoke inhalation, while 129 others received medical assistance at the scene. The accused was also injured in the fire and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Investigators revealed that the motive behind the act stemmed from Won’s dissatisfaction with the outcome of his divorce proceedings. The emotional distress allegedly pushed him to carry out the attack during rush hour, endangering hundreds of lives.

Estimated Damage And Ongoing Investigation

The fire led to an estimated property loss of 330 million won, including the destruction of a subway car, according to a report from The Chosun Daily. Authorities say the arson disrupted services and highlighted major safety concerns for mass transit systems.

Won was apprehended by police and transferred to the prosecution on June 9, where formal charges were filed. Officials have since launched a review of subway security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.