Thai couple in Korea found dead of presumed carbon monoxide poisoning

A villager looks at a house in Gochang, North Jeolla, where a Thai couple was found dead on Thursday. [YONHAP]

A Thai couple residing in Korea were found dead in a house in Gochang, North Jeolla.

The presumed cause of death is carbon monoxide poisoning from an indoor fire they set to save money, according to police.

Law enforcement officers in the rural town of Gochang found the 55-year-old Thai male and his 57-year-old wife dead in their home Thursday afternoon.

The couple were found lying on the floor, along with some leftover firewood in the room.

“It seems they didn’t use the heating system at all because there was no gas left in the gas boiler,” a police spokesperson said.

“It looks like they made a fire in the room to stay warm and were presumably killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.”

They had been paying 300,000 won ($230) for the annual rent, according to the police.

The police and neighbors added that the couple came to Korea about 10 years ago in hopes of living the so-called “Korean dream.”

They were reportedly sending money that they earned to their children in Thailand.

BY KIM JI-HYE [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]