Arsonist Blocks Escape Route: What Lies Beneath a Distorted Psyche?

[News Hunters]

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■ Broadcast: SBS News Hunters, Mon-Fri (18:50-19:50)
■ Anchors: Kim Jong-won, Yoon Tae-jin
■ Guests: Bae Sang-hoon (Profiler), Lee Kyung-min (Attorney)
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A man in his 70s, surnamed Lee, set consecutive fires at two patent law firms in Yeoksam-dong on the 20th. Even though he started the fire right in front of the only exit, injuring 19 people, Lee merely offers the excuse that he "just wanted to scare them." Criminal experts categorize individuals like Lee as a typical "mission-oriented offender," a type rooted in delusions that the social system ruined them and that they have a mission to set things right. In particular, it has been pointed out that Lee attempted to set fire to the same patent law firms four years ago, but back then, only charges of "special intimidation" rather than "arson" were applied, missing the opportunity to prevent a repeat arson offense. We examine the psychology behind arsonists who choose the crime of "arson," the characteristics of "arson crimes" which are notoriously prone to recidivism, and whether there are ways to prevent them.

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※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.