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December 2, 2008 9:54:05 AM CST

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Man Admits Setting Seoul Fire

Posted Feb 12, 08 9:01 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – A 69-year-old man confessed last night to setting the fire that destroyed Seoul's most famous landmark, the 14th-century South Gate.  As South Koreans vented anger and disbelief, calling the loss "the Korean equivalent of 9/11," the arsonist apologized "to my children and the public." Disgruntled over a land dispute, the AP reports, the man used paint thinner and a disposable lighter to torch the wooden structure.

According to police, he picked the landmark because it was easily accessible, protected only by motion sensors at night. Angry citizens flooded the culture ministry's website with accusations of negligence, and newspapers expressed shame and revulsion. "The disaster in Seoul didn't pose any threat to their lives," said one psychiatrist. "But they psychologically felt the equivalent of feelings the American had in the wake of the 9/11 attacks."

Sources Chosun Ilbo (South Korea), Associated Press

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South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun break down as firefighters extinguish a fire in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 11, 2008.(AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)   (Associated Press)
Police and fire authorities examine the cause of the fire which destroyed South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun Gate in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. The fire broke out Sunday...   (Associated Press)
Police officers stand guard in front of the destroyed South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun Gate in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. A fire broke out Sunday night and burned down...   (Associated Press)
A South Korean woman Shin Sin weeps after watching the destroyed South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun Gate, background, in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)   (Associated Press)
Workers remove the wreckage of the destroyed South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun Gate in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)   (Associated Press)
The burnt out remains of South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun is seen in Seoul Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 after an overnight fire. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)   (Associated Press)
South Korea's No. 1 national treasure Namdaemun break down as firefighters extinguish a fire in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/ Yonhap, Lee Sang-hak)   (Associated Press)
A suspect in the arson at the Namdaemun gate, identified only by his family name Chae, center, arrives at Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. Police said Tuesday that Chae upset...   (Associated Press)
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