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Hong Suk-chon
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A Chinese restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, run by actor Hong Suk-chon, 38, caught on fire on New Year's Day. Police arrested a USFK soldier known as Corporal G, 22, who was reportedly drunk and sleeping at the scene, as an arson suspect and handed him over to U.S. military police.
According to Yongsan Police Station, fire and smoke came from the restaurant's terrace around 6 a.m. on Thursday. A neighbor happened to see the fire and alerted Hong, who arrived at the scene ten minutes later to extinguish the blaze. There were no casualties, although the fire caused W3 million worth of damage (US$1=W1,340).
Corporal G seemed to have been drinking all night and, to avoid the cold, climbed over the one-meter-high wall to feed a fire on the terrace with garbage, the police speculated. Mr. Hong, who operates five restaurants in and around Itaewon, said, "A fire broke out but there was not much damage. So I presume that my business will still go well this year."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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