May 15, 2011 22:53
Police have arrested an ex-convict suspected of staging two minor bomb attacks in the capital last week, and allege the suspect hoped to use the blasts to manipulate Korean stock prices for his own personal gain.
The explosions, which caused small fires but no injuries, occurred less than an hour apart on Thursday. The first blast came in a locker at Seoul's main train station, and a second at a bus terminal in the city.
Such explosions are a rare occurrence in Korea, and Thursday's blasts set off a nationwide search of major transportation hubs by police and sniffer dogs. Police say the 43-year-old suspect, who previously served prison time for robbery, had invested more that $45,000 in financial products that allowed him to profit when markets fall.
Two alleged accomplices were also arrested Saturday on suspicion of buying explosive materials used in the blasts and placing them in the lockers on orders of the main suspect.
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