[WORD_ON_THE_WEB] 'How do we stop criminals like this?'

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[WORD_ON_THE_WEB] 'How do we stop criminals like this?'

A 60-year-old man is suspected of intentionally starting a forest fire in Okgye, Gangneung on March 5. The suspected arsonist reportedly said he started the fire because he was sick of his neighbors “ignoring” him for years.
 
Police rushed to the scene after receiving reports that “a man is starting a fire using a handheld butane torch." The man was arrested and police confiscated a helmet, a torch and an ax as evidence.
 
The suspect’s mother fell as she was evacuated to a nearby senior citizen center using her walking frame. She was transferred to a hospital but later died. It is said that the mother, who was discharged from a nursing hospital recently, was ill and had difficulty moving.
 
#strict_punishment
 
“His mother died because of his actions. The arsonist needs severe punishment. At least 30 years in prison.”
“Who can be responsible for the wasted manpower, disrupted environment and the damage to property? All because of one person. I’m at a loss for words. How do we stop potential criminals like this? It’s so upsetting and scary.”
“Uljin is declared as a special disaster zone all because of someone like him. The fire is still raging and spreading with the wind. It’s infuriating.”
 
#not_an_excuse
 
“It’s not right to ignore someone, however, something does feel off about him. What kind of life did he lead before he was ignored, and what has he done now?”
“This is the reason he was ignored. He killed his own mother, destroyed the environment, and ruined other people’s homes just because he was feeling bad. Karma will come down on him hard.”
 
#twisted_mind
 
“There comes a time when distorted stubbornness overcomes one as one grows old. As we grow older, we should try to think the opposite even it’s just once.”
“His twisted ego has caused him to lash out at others. It’s a shame.”

BY LEE SI-YEOUNG, YOO JI-WOO [yoo.jiwoo@joongang.co.kr]
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