A man pours gasoline onto the floor of a moving subway car and sets it on fire.

The flames spread rapidly, and the interior quickly fills with black smoke.

In May of last year, a man in his 60s set fire to a Seoul Subway Line 5 train carrying nearly 500 passengers, resulting in 23 passengers being transported to the hospital.

Apprehended by the police, the man stated that he wanted to publicize his grievances, harboring resentment over a court ruling that held him responsible for his divorce and ordered him to pay alimony and a property division.

Although the personal details differed, the motive—feeling wronged and wanting to make the world aware—was identical to that of a man in his 70s responsible for serial arson in Yeoksam-dong.

[Son Oe-chul / Professor of Police and Criminal Psychology, Pukyong National University: It is mainly about making it known, the unfairness or grievances they have suffered. While things like murder also get reported in the media, they see (arson) as having the biggest impact.]

In July of last year in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, a resident in his 70s set fire to a management office over ongoing disputes regarding apartment management, killing 5 people. In September two years ago in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, a man in his 50s set fire to a motel after the owner told him to "get your things out" following an argument over room rates, killing 3 innocent guests.

Attempts to resolve personal grievances or frustration through retaliatory crimes such as arson, rather than through legitimate judicial procedures, are continuing. In fact, out of 342 arson suspects whose motives were confirmed last year, more than half—204 individuals—cited venting anger or hostility.

[Oh Yoon-sung / Professor of Police Administration, Soonchunhyang University: They self-rationalize and find justification. Even after being arrested and coming into contact with the media, they feel absolutely no shame or guilt...]

Some analysts note that older adults, in particular, who have fewer people around them to listen to their personal complaints or venting, frequently choose the extreme method of arson.

[Im Myung-ho / Professor of Psychology, Dankuk University: Younger people post a lot of complaints on social media, but (vulnerable groups) are not social media users, so they have no choice but to show it in a classical way.]

Experts point out that our society needs to build a more robust safety net by creating proper channels and outlets where personal grievances can be voiced.

Innocent Lives Lost... The Repeats of "Venting Arson" (October 22, 2026, 8 News)

(Reported by Kim Min-jun, Production by Bae Jun-hwi, Video Editing by Park Na-young, Design by Lee Jong-jung, Produced by SBS Digital News)