Suspect accused of planting improvised explosive in Gwangju caught on same day

Social Affairs

Suspect accused of planting improvised explosive in Gwangju caught on same day

Published: 22 Aug. 2024, 18:56 Updated: 22 Aug. 2024, 19:07

LEE SOO-JUNG
lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr

A 79-year-old suspect surnamed Kim, center, who is accused of planting an improvised explosive device in front of a dental clinic in Gwangju on Thursday, is escorted by police officers after his arrest in the city on the same day. [NEWS1]

A suspect surnamed Kim, 79, accused of planting an improvised explosive device at a dental clinic in Gwangju on Thursday, was caught by police on the same day in the city.

The local police precinct apprehended the alleged bomber on charges of setting fire to an occupied building. The suspect allegedly detonated a butane gas-filled box in front of a dental clinic located on the third floor of the building in Gwangju's Seo District at around 1:14 p.m.

An initial investigation found that he placed a box filled with four butane gas cartridges and a plastic bucket containing flammable liquid inside an entryway to the clinic.

According to a report from Yonhap News Agency, over 90 people, including nurses and patients from other clinics located on the upper floors of the building, were evacuated. No casualties were reported.

Police traced the suspect using surveillance camera footage and apprehended him in front of the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station after he came to the precinct to surrender around two hours after the explosion.