Arson Incident in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (April 21, 2025)
On the morning of April 21, 2025, an arson attack occurred at a public rental apartment in Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. A man in his 60s used a pesticide sprayer to set fire to the building.
As a result of the incident, one person died, two women in their 70s and 80s were seriously injured after jumping out of the window to escape the flames, and nine others sustained minor injuries.
The suspect had previously lived on the third floor of the apartment and had ongoing conflicts with the resident above (fourth floor) due to noise issues. The police had been dispatched in the past due to physical altercations.
Although he later moved to a villa 1.5 km away, he is believed to have held a grudge and returned to the apartment to commit the arson.
Prior to the incident, he left suicide notes for his mother and daughter, and there is evidence he had also started a fire at the villa shortly before the apartment arson.
Local residents testified that the suspect frequently argued with the upstairs neighbor and that noise complaints were a major issue.
Elderly Assaults on the Street and Other Hate Crimes
Recent news reports and police investigations do not confirm specific details about incidents involving young men attacking elderly individuals on the street.
However, in South Korea, hate crimes have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. These crimes have manifested in various forms, including physical assaults, verbal abuse, and the use of weapons.
Hate crimes are often rooted in prejudice against specific characteristics of individuals or groups, such as age, race, nationality, or disability. They can take the form of physical violence, property damage, harassment, and online offenses.
According to recent studies, social tension and anxiety have risen since the pandemic, leading to increased intolerance and conflict over issues that previously drew less attention.
