The South Korea subway fire refers to a tragic incident that occurred on February 18, 2003, at Jungangno Station on Daegu Metro Line 1. A man named Kim Dae-han, a 56-year-old unemployed former taxi driver, set fire to a subway train using gasoline, which led to the destruction of two trains and caused 192 deaths and 148 injuries.
The fire started at 9 a.m., and within two minutes, it had spread to all six cars of the train.
Kim Dae-han was later found to be mentally unbalanced and had intended to commit suicide, choosing a crowded place to do so because he did not want to die alone.
He was sentenced to life in prison for his actions.