MBC to Air Two-Part Documentary ‘Serial Arsonist,’ Analyzing 7,442 Court Rulings and Proposing First-of-Its-Kind Solutions in Korea

Ulsan MBC is presenting Serial Arsonist, a two-part documentary that takes an in-depth look at the hidden realities of arson and measures to prevent repeat offenses. Going beyond a simple recounting of cases, the documentary sharply examines the pathological nature of arson and the absence of a national system to monitor offenders.

A 10% repeat-offense rate, and the tragedy of a missing system

To trace the root causes of arson, the production team undertook the painstaking task of analyzing all 7,442 court rulings in domestic arson cases. The analysis found that one in 10 arsonists sets another fire after being released from prison. Yet specialized psychological treatment and follow-up measures for these offenders remain extremely limited.

The documentary focuses in particular on a fire earlier this year in a silver grass field along the Taehwa River in Ulsan, as well as the repeat offense committed after release by the “Bongdaesan Fire Squirrel,” notorious for setting fires 96 times. Over 10 months of close reporting, the team spoke with people around the offenders and examined their inner psychological states with leading Korean profilers and criminal psychology analysts.

The team also reported on advanced systems for combating arson abroad and presents practical alternatives. The documentary offers a domestic first look at the United Kingdom’s prevention education for young people and tailored treatment programs for offenders, as well as U.S. law enforcement’s coordination system and the implementation of an “arsonist registry” to prevent repeat offenses.

The program exposes the realities of arson, a crime that leaves victims with wounds that are difficult to heal but has long remained outside the focus of public attention. It delivers a weighty message: only systematic treatment and strict monitoring—not the current justice system’s focus on punishment—can break the cycle of crime. It is expected to draw attention as public concern over arson runs high, particularly following the recent Yeoksam-dong arson case in Seoul.

Produced with support from the Korea Press Foundation, Serial Arsonist will air at 6:05 p.m. on Oct. 22 (Part 1) and 9 p.m. on Oct. 29 (Part 2). It will also be available on MBC TV and the Ulsan MBC News YouTube channel.