70-Man Arrested for Threatening Arson Over Confiscated Handcart

A man in his 70s who is a street vendor has been apprehended by police after threatening to set fire to a district office.

According to police on November 5, the Seoul Jongno Police Station arrested a man in his 70s, identified as A, at the scene on charges of obstruction of official duties and preparation for arson at around 12:00 PM on November 2 at the Street Maintenance Division office of the Jongno District Office in Junghak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

A is accused of causing a disturbance at the Jongno District Office Street Maintenance Division office at the time.

He reportedly pulled out a plastic lighter fluid container he was carrying and threatened to set a fire if the district office did not return his handcart and belongings, which had been confiscated during a crackdown.

Investigations showed that A committed the crime out of frustration over a street vendor crackdown carried out by the district office on October 31.

Police are currently investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.