On the afternoon of the 10th, the tragic murder of 8-year-old Kim Ha-neul at an elementary school in Daejeon sent shockwaves across South Korea. At around 5:50 PM, first-grader Kim Ha-neul was found in cardiac arrest after being stabbed but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The suspect, a female teacher in her 40s, identified as B, was also found with self-inflicted wounds and was unconscious when taken to the hospital. Reports indicate that B had previously been diagnosed with depression. Police believe she stabbed Ha-neul before attempting to take her own life.
A recent autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries, meaning she suffered multiple fatal wounds inflicted by a sharp object. The teacher, who had sustained injuries to her wrist and neck, confessed to the crime before undergoing surgery. She told the police that on the day of the incident, she waited until after the after-school care session, then selected the last remaining student, lured her into the audiovisual room under the pretense of giving her a book, and proceeded to strangle and stab her.
Was It a Premeditated Crime?
It was revealed that the teacher had deliberately purchased the weapon used in the attack and had casually asked a store employee whether they had a “sharp knife.” Police obtained testimony confirming that at around 1:30 PM on the day of the crime, B visited a kitchenware store in Daejeon and asked the clerk if they had a sharp knife. When the employee inquired about its intended use, B responded that it was for kitchen purposes. If this crime was indeed premeditated, B should not be allowed to claim mental illness or diminished responsibility as a defense to avoid severe punishment. Stronger legal consequences must be enforced.
Expansion of CCTV Installation in Schools
On the 14th, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho announced that, in response to this incident, the government would expand CCTV installations in schools. Additionally, first- and second-grade elementary school students will now be required to be handed over to their guardians in person and accompanied home. The Ministry of Education has already reached agreements with local education offices to install additional CCTV cameras inside school buildings, including in hallways, staircases, and after-school care classrooms.
Minister Lee stated, “This incident has reinforced a national consensus that children’s safety must come first and that measures to prevent such tragedies are urgently needed.” However, he also emphasized the importance of proceeding carefully to avoid unintended consequences from excessive legislation.
For years, parents have urged schools to install more CCTV cameras to monitor school violence, protect teachers’ rights, and ensure student safety. However, it took this devastating tragedy to prompt real action. One cannot help but wonder—if CCTV cameras had already been installed and clear evidence had been available, would this case have remained a mystery? This incident is deeply unsettling and reveals serious flaws in the system. I sincerely hope that such tragedies never happen again.
US ASIA JOURNAL K-UNIV REPORTER
LIYEON KIM
