A massive forest fire erupted in Yasan, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do on January 21, scorching 327 cubic meters of timber across 234 hectares of forest land. Authorities arrested a 66-year-old man identified as Kim Mo in connection with the blaze, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation.
Extent of the Damage
The fire destroyed valuable chestnut groves worth 11.4 billion won, impacting 80 households in the area. One Brazilian tourist and one local resident suffered injuries. Firefighters contained the blaze after 44 minutes, but it had already spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions. Over 100 hectares of disaster-affected forest now require restoration efforts.
Suspect’s Extensive Arson History
Investigators link Kim to 96 arson incidents over 17 years, from 1994 to 2011, centered around Bongdaesan in Ulsan Dong-gu. Authorities dubbed him the “Bongdaesan Fire King” for his repeated offenses, which caused damages exceeding 3 billion won. Kim ignited three prior fires in the Hamyang area this year alone, starting January 29.
Motivations and Past Convictions
Kim admitted to deriving thrill from watching fire news reports and savoring the smell of burning wood. “Seeing the biggest fire news excites me, and smelling the fire makes me want to do it again,” he reportedly confessed during questioning.
In 2011, apartment CCTV footage captured him starting a fire, leading to his conviction. From 2004 to 2011, he received sentences for 37 arson cases during public service duties, serving a total of 10 years before his release in 2021.
Prosecutors plan to indict Kim following completion of overseas investigations.
