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Man who set subway train on fire sentenced to 12 years

Published: 14 Oct. 2025, 12:54 Updated: 14 Oct. 2025, 18:08

The suspect who set fire to a moving Seoul Subway Line 5 train, surnamed Won, appears at a warrant hearing held at the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon District, western Seoul, on June 2. [NEWS1]

A 67-year-old man surnamed Won, who was convicted of setting fire to a Seoul Subway Line 5 train in protest over the outcome of his divorce suit, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at court.

On Tuesday, the Seoul Southern District Court found Won guilty of multiple charges including attempted murder, arson causing injury to occupants of a train and violations of the Railroad Safety Act, and sentenced him to 12 years in prison and three years of probation.

“The defendant poured gasoline and set fire inside a subway car carrying 487 passengers because of a personal grievance over his divorce proceedings, injuring passengers and subjecting them to terror. The nature of the crime is grave and highly irresponsible,” the court said.

“The defendant’s act undermined public confidence in the safety of public transportation and left lasting anxiety among the public. A stern punishment was unavoidable.”

At the sentencing hearing on Sept. 16, prosecutors had sought a 20-year prison term.

Won was indicted for allegedly pouring gasoline on the floor of a train traveling through the tunnel between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations on Line 5 at about 8:42 a.m. on May 31 and setting it alight, attempting to kill 160 passengers, including himself, and injuring six others.

A man in his 60s, surnamed Won, set fire to a subway train on May 31. [SEOUL SOUTHERN DISTRICT PROSECUTORS' OFFICE]

The blaze sent 23 people — including Won — to hospitals after they inhaled smoke, and 129 others received on-site emergency treatment. One train car was partially destroyed, and property damage exceeded 300 million won.

Investigators said Won had harbored resentment over an unfavorable divorce ruling, had contemplated suicide and chose the subway — believing the act would draw social attention — as the site for his attack.

Prosecutors also found evidence that, before the attack, Won purchased gasoline in advance, scouted for an opportunity to carry out the act, liquidated his assets through the cancellation of fixed deposits, insurance and fund redemptions and transferred money to relatives as he prepared to end his affairs.

During his first court hearing in August, Won admitted to all charges and expressed remorse for his crimes.

A psychopathy assessment showed that Won did not exhibit psychopathic tendencies.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]