14-year-old sets home ablaze after dispute with parents over



 

The Gwangju District Court in South Korea has dismissed an arrest warrant for a 14-year-old girl accused of setting fire to her family’s apartment after her parents refused to upgrade her cellphone, local media reported Sunday.
 

Police in Gwangju said the court rejected the warrant after a prearrest hearing, citing the girl’s status as “a juvenile under 19” under the Juvenile Act.
 

The teen allegedly started the fire around 10:52 p.m. on Nov. 20 by using a lighter in her third-floor bedroom in an apartment building in northern Gwangju, police said.
 

Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about 20 minutes, but the fire destroyed all household goods in the unit. Seventeen residents were taken to hospitals after inhaling smoke, authorities said.
 

During questioning, the girl reportedly told police she set the fire to retaliate against her parents for not changing her phone to a model that would allow her to use social media

Source:https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/

Comprehension

Why was the 14-year-old girl accused in this incident?
What reason did the court give for dismissing the arrest warrant?
When and where did the fire occur?
How did the police say the girl started the fire?
How long did it take firefighters to extinguish the blaze?
What damage did the fire cause to the apartment unit?
How many residents were taken to hospitals due to smoke inhalation?
What reason did the girl give for setting the fire?

Discussion

Do you agree with the court’s decision to dismiss the arrest warrant? Why or why not?
How should minors be held accountable for serious crimes?
What factors might contribute to impulsive or dangerous behavior among teenagers?
What role should parents play in monitoring their children’s emotional and digital habits?
How can conflicts between parents and teenagers be resolved more safely?
Should access to social media for teenagers be more controlled? Why or why not?
What psychological or social support might the girl need after this incident?
How can society prevent similar incidents involving youth?
How should the community respond when many residents are impacted by the actions of one person?
Do you think current juvenile laws are enough to handle serious offenses committed by minors?

Vocabulary

Arrest warrant – A legal document allowing police to take someone into custody.
Juvenile – A young person who is not yet legally considered an adult.
Retaliate – To take harmful action in response to something done to you.
Extinguish – To put out a fire or stop it from burning.
Inhalation – Breathing in, especially harmful substances like smoke.
Destroyed – Completely ruined or damaged beyond repair.
Prearrest hearing – A court process to determine if an arrest warrant is necessary.
Household goods – Items used inside a home, such as furniture and appliances.