Man behind Gwangju dental clinic bombing cites inflammation during treatment as motive

A 78-year-old man, dissatisfied with the outcome of his dental prosthesis, is suspected of carrying out an explosive attack on a dental clinic in Gwangju Metropolitan City on Thursday afternoon, according to local news reports. 

Gwangju Seobu Police Station has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, which unfolded when the suspect, identified only as surname Kim, allegedly placed an improvised explosive device (IED) —comprising several butane gas canisters—inside a delivery box at the entrance of a  dental clinic  located on the third floor of a commerical building in Chipyeong-dong, a district in western Gwangju, the largest city in the Jeolla region.

The explosion occurred shortly after 1 p.m., ignited by Kim using a lighter before he fled the scene.

The blast triggered a fire, which was extinguished within nine minutes by the building's sprinkler system, limiting damage, news reports said. While no one was injured, the incident forced the urgent evacuation of 95 people, including patients and staff.

Police revealed that Kim had purchased flammable materials, including butane gas and paint thinner, in the days leading up to the attack, suggesting that the crime may have been premeditated. 

Approximately two hours after the explosion, Kim turned himself into the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, citing dissatisfaction with his dental treatment as his motive.

Investigations revealed that Kim had been undergoing prosthetic dental work and had expressed frustration over a minor issue during his treatment. According to the Gwangju Seobu Police Station, Kim stated in his testimony that he “became dissatisfied after developing inflammation during a crown fitting procedure about two weeks ago.”

Kim’s interrogation was initially delayed due to his state of heavy intoxication at the time of his arrest. Authorities disclosed that Kim had consumed a bottle of soju before the attack and, after fleeing the scene, drank two more bottles at a nearby restaurant before heading to the police station by taxi. Police confirmed that Kim has no prior criminal record or history of mental illness.

Given his intoxicated state during and after the crime, police are scrutinizing the credibility of his statements. Additionally, it was revealed that Kim had an outpatient appointment scheduled at the clinic the day before the incident, which he missed. 

According to news reports, the clinic later told police that Kim “had not voiced any complaints severe enough to suggest he might resort to violence.”

The investigation resumed early Friday, with authorities expected to seek an arrest warrant later in the day as they continue to look into the suspect’s motives and the construction of the explosive device.