Chinese student jailed for arson at South Korean university

The Ulsan District Court announced Tuesday that the student was convicted of starting multiple fires on and around the university campus in February.

The court sentenced him to 18 months in prison for setting at least five separate fires, including near dormitories, campus walkways, and grass areas outside university buildings, according to the Korea Herald.

Investigators found that the student first set fire to a blanket and notebook in a campus smoking area. He then went back to his residence, retrieved more documents and notebooks, and returned to start additional fires elsewhere on campus. One fire spread and destroyed approximately 50 square meters (538 square feet) of nearby forested land.

Fortunately, the fires were extinguished quickly and did not result in significant property damage or casualties.

The student was convicted under Korean law for arson involving personal property, which prohibits setting fire to one's own belongings in a way that endangers public safety.

According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, the student attempted to flee South Korea and return to China the day after the incidents but was arrested at the airport.

During the trial, he admitted to setting the initial fire in the smoking area but denied responsibility for the other incidents. However, the court rejected his claim, citing evidence showing that the fires occurred along his path of travel.

"The defendant’s actions resulted in the destruction of 50 square meters [538 square feet] of forest and could have escalated into a larger fire," the court said.

The court noted that in determining the sentence, it had taken into account that there were no injuries and considered the student's mental health.