A detective leading the probe into last month’s deadly Gyeongsan apartment arson was found dead while on annual leave, with police investigating the circumstances.
First responders control entry into a management office of an apartment complex in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, on July 23.YONHAP
A police investigator leading the probe into last month's arson that killed three at an apartment complex in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, was found dead, police said Monday.
The detective, in their 50s from the Gyeongsan Police Station, was found dead on a mountainside in Changnyeong County, South Gyeongsang, at around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
No suicide note was found at the scene, and no evidence of criminal wrongdoing has been identified, according to police.
The Changnyeong Police precinct is investigating the exact cause and circumstances of the detective’s death.
The detective was reportedly on annual leave the day they were found. The detective had been leading an investigation on the arson attack that happened at around 8:29 a.m. on July 23, when a 71-year-old resident surnamed Ryu allegedly set fire to a management office of an apartment complex. The blaze killed three people and injured four others.
Police investigation found that Ryu became enraged during an argument with the head of the residents' association and others inside the office.
Ryu allegedly transferred a flammable substance from a 4-liter (1.05-gallon) container stored in the building's basement into a metal can, poured it onto the floor of the management office and set it alight with a lighter.
He then reportedly fled the scene and returned to their apartment to retrieve a weapon before coming back and threatening residents.
"I'll kill you all," Ryu said. “I'll disembowel myself.”
Police later arrested Ryu.
The scorched apartment management office in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, on July 23NEWS1
On the day of the attack, police formed a 36-member joint investigative team led by the head of the criminal investigations division at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency. The team included detectives from the provincial agency's metropolitan investigation unit, forensic investigators, detectives from the Gyeongsan Police Station and victim protection officers.
Police have booked Ryu without detention on charges of arson resulting in death and injury involving an occupied building.
Ryu, who remains hospitalized with severe burns over their body, is conscious but unable to communicate. Police plan to question the arson suspect in person once their condition improves.
If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191 or the Crisis Counseling Center at 1577-0199. The Seoul Global Center offers English-language counseling. Contact 02-2075-4180 (+1) to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
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.
