Man who set fire to British student's face found dead in Han River

An image of World Cup Bridge in Mapo District, western Seoul [JOONGANG PHOTO]

A man suspected of setting fire to a British exchange student’s face near a university dormitory in Seoul in December last year has been found dead, police said Wednesday.

The suspect’s corpse was found on Feb. 1 at the Han River near the World Cup Bridge in Mapo District, western Seoul, according to the police.

The police presume the suspect drowned.

The suspect was accused of attacking the British exchange student in December after she ended their relationship.

The Seoul Hyehwa Police Precinct said the ex-boyfriend sprayed a flammable substance and ignited it with a lighter.

He immediately fled the scene.

The victim suffered second-degree burns on her face, which caused swelling, blisters and severe pain.

She also had third-degree burns on her hands.

The police said they were closing the case as the suspect had died.

The man was last spotted on a bridge over the Han River on the same day he fled.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]