Court Sentences Young Adults for Setting Friend on Fire with Flammable Diffuser

A court in Cheongju has sentenced two young adults to suspended prison terms for severely injuring a friend by setting fire to a flammable diffuser on his head. On April 13, Judge Ji Yoon-seop of the Cheongju District Court sentenced A (20) to 1 year and 4 months in prison, suspended for 3 years, and B (20) to 1 year in prison, suspended for 2 years, for their actions under the Violent Crimes Punishment Act.

The incident occurred in November 2023 while the two were still in high school, when they poured diffuser liquid on their friend C's hair and ignited it with a lighter. Reports indicate that A obstructed C's attempts to extinguish the flames by turning on the shower. As a result, C suffered second-degree burns requiring over three weeks of treatment on his face and neck. A and B claimed they were curious about whether the diffuser would catch fire. Additionally, A faced separate charges for operating a motorcycle with illegally purchased license plates without mandatory insurance.

Judge Ji noted that while the severity of the victim's injuries and the dangerous nature of the crime were aggravating factors, the defendants showed remorse and the victim did not wish for them to be punished.