Man sets himself on fire after candlelight vigil
Korea Times | 06-05-2008
Man Sets Himself on Fire After Candlelight Vigil
A South Korean man set himself on fire early Thursday morning following a candlelight rally in central Seoul against the resumption of U.S. beef imports.
Police said the 56-year-old, identified only by Kim, is in critical condition with severe burns to his body.
Witnesses said Kim poured inflammable liquid onto his body and set him afire with a lighter at around 2: 40 a.m.
Yonhap News Agency said he seemed to be disgruntled with the government’s compensation policy for his evacuated residence in Seoul.
Police said the man called up authorities and handed his identity card to protestors minutes before his action.
Kim, a day laborer, had reportedly been joining daily candlelight vigils, which have recently turned into anti-government protests.
