Overview

• A 67-year-old man surnamed Won has been charged with attempted murder, arson of an occupied vehicle and railway safety violations after igniting a fire on a Line 5 train on May 31.
• The Han River tunnel blaze injured six passengers and hospitalized 23 people for smoke inhalation, including the suspect, but resulted in no fatalities.
• Rapid action by commuters using onboard extinguishers, combined with fire-resistant materials installed since 2003, allowed firefighters to extinguish the flames before they spread.
• Seoul Southern District Prosecutors formally indicted Won on June 25, and he remains in custody as the investigation continues.
• Seoul Metro and prosecutors are now scrutinizing live CCTV transmission protocols to strengthen emergency response and close monitoring gaps.