Go to contents

Suspect for explosive package in Incheon Int’l Airport was arrested

Suspect for explosive package in Incheon Int’l Airport was arrested

Posted February. 05, 2016 09:09,   

Updated February. 05, 2016 09:15

한국어
“I was so frustrated at the hardship of life as I was not able to get a job.”

A suspect (aged 36) who had placed an “explosive box” at Incheon International Airport said his reason of wrongdoing after he was arrested by the airport’s police. Having majored in Viola at a domestic music college and obtained a Master’s Degree, he was an “elite.” After graduation, however, his life was not easy. He has continuously failed to get a job and his life went from bad to worse last year when he got married and had a baby. He got irritated more often without particular reasons and his complaints against the society have grown only bigger.

He searched for a target where he could vent out his anger and Incheon International Airport, which has recently undergone smuggling incident, was chosen as his target. He wanted to bring the turbulence to the airport once again. He put three guitar strings, four pieces of wire and four batteries into a small box of flower cake. Inside the box were broccoli, cabbage and banana peels as well. There was no particular reason. To make the box look more like an explosive, butane canisters, a small gas container for cigarette lighter and water bottle of 500mL were attached to it.

An Arabic note saying “This is the last warning to you. God will punish you” was also inside the box. He translated the message with Google translation at his place in Guro-gu, Seoul and printed it out. On January 29, he placed it next to a toilet in men’s room at Gate C in Incheon International Airport and ran away.

Having analyzed closed-circuit televisions and checked fare payment for airport subway, the police picked him as a prime suspect and arrested him three days later. “I have never joined terrorist groups such as Islam States nor contacted them," he testified. "I never intended to set off the explosive, either.” The police, however, are now investigating his computer to see whether he has searched for any information of terrorist groups or a recipe for the explosive. The police are also chasing substantial charge for terrorist acts by screening immigration records from nations in the Middle East.

The police have requested an arrest warrant for the suspect in charge of preliminary plot for destruction of explosive articles and special intimidation. “He testified that he had acted alone. We are now investigating whether he has past history of psychotherapy,” said Jeong Seong-chae, commander of Incheon International Airport police.



인천=황금천기자 kchwang@donga.com · 조동주기자 djc@donga.com