Suspect faces attempted murder, arson preparation charges after Friday morning attack at Ilmin Museum of Art
By Ahn Hyo-jung, The Herald Business
Police have applied for an arrest warrant for a man in his 70s who attacked a worker with a sickle at the Ilmin Museum of Art in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul, home to the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper headquarters.
The Jongno Police Station said Saturday it had applied for an arrest warrant against the suspect, identified only as A, on charges of attempted murder and preparation for arson.
Police arrested A on an emergency basis Friday and, after further investigation, found evidence that he had prepared to start a fire before carrying out the attack, leading them to add the arson preparation charge.
A is accused of stabbing a man in his 40s, identified as B and an acquaintance of A, with a sickle at the museum at around 7:47 a.m. Friday. After the attack, A fled by taxi through Samgakji in Yongsan-gu and Noryangjin in Dongjak-gu before police apprehended him the same day at the residence of another acquaintance in Gwanak-gu.
A had been working in a cleaning-related capacity in and around the building where the museum is located. Victim B had also worked in the same building but had recently submitted his resignation.
Police said they plan to investigate the specific motive for the attack after formally securing custody of A.
an@heraldcorp.com
