In brief
On Nov. 3, 2026 the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency made public the identity of 77‑year‑old Lee Myung‑soo, who is accused of arson and attempted murder after two patent firm buildings in Yeoksam, Gangnam, burned on Oct. 20, injuring 26 people. Investigators said the suspect deliberately targeted the offices knowing people were inside, while Lee maintains he was scammed by the firms and merely wanted to scare them.
On Nov. 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency posted the mug images and name of 77‑year‑old Lee Myung‑soo, the suspect accused of setting fire to two patent‑law‑firm buildings in Yeoksam, Gangnam, on Oct. 20. The agency released the photos on its official website after a review committee identified “substantial evidence” that the suspect carried out the attacks.
The fires erupted at two offices in the Yeoksam‑dong neighborhood of Gangnam‑gu. Emergency crews responded to the blaze within minutes; 26 people from the offices were treated for smoke inhalation and burn injuries. No fatalities were reported, but the incidents caused significant property damage and disrupted business operations in the area.
After the fires, Lee was taken into custody in the early hours of Oct. 20. He was formally charged with arson and attempted murder on Nov. 2, when prosecutors referred the case to the Gangnam District Prosecutor’s Office.
According to police statements, investigators believe that Lee intentionally targeted the offices, “knowing that people were inside.” The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency declared the suspect’s motive a “premeditated act” aimed at the patent firms.
Lee has denied intent to kill. In a short statement to reporters, he said he was “scammed” by the patent firms and that his only purpose was to scare them, not to injure anyone. This claim was reported by the Chosun Ilbo on Nov. 3.
The Korea Times and Associated Press corroborated that the arson led to numerous injuries and that the Seoul police released Lee’s identity after a review committee’s decision, citing the availability of clear evidence linking him to the fires. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency noted that it releases suspects’ names for serious crimes only after “sufficient evidence” exists.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has stated that the suspect was apprehended within hours of the incident. In a press release, the agency said the suspect’s arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of rapid response protocols during large‑scale emergency incidents.
While the investigation into Lee’s motives and the full extent of damages is ongoing, the police have assured the public that the case is being handled with urgency and that the offices are now under new security measures to prevent future incidents.
