Namdaemun Arson Suspect Apprehended

Seoul police have nabbed a man suspected of deliberately starting the Namdaemun fire. I don't know how solid their case is against him, though:
Police officials questioned Chae late Monday after discovering clothes and a bag at his home similar to those described by witnesses, Yonhap reported. Witnesses told police they saw a man appearing to be in his 60s near Namdaemun with a backpack and a ladder, according to Yonhap. Police also found a bottle of paint thinner they suspect was used in Namdaemun's destruction, Yonhap reported. Chae was the arsonist who in 2006 set ablaze part of a royal palace in Seoul listed as a World Heritage site, Yonhap cited police as saying. At that time, he received a suspended jail term, Yonhap reported.
I may have seen too many episodes of CSI, but if they are able to link the paint thinner to the scene with reasonable certainty that would be something to go on. Otherwise, the case against the guy seems fairly flimsy -- circumstantial and coincidental. Of course, there could be more to the story than they have made public. I just don't see how that could be enough to arrest the guy. To question him, sure, but arrest? Anyway, I do hope they've got the right scumbag and aren't rushing to judgment.
Feb 12th, 2008
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