A South Korean court has sentenced a teacher to life in prison for fatally stabbing an eight-year-old girl, in a case that shocked the nation.
Myeong Jae-wan, 48, killed Kim Hae-neul after luring her into a classroom in the central city of Daejeon in February.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for Myeong, saying that the victim's family had asked for a harsh punishment. However, the court stated that while ʻthe risk of reoffending is high, it is difficult to concludeʼ that Myeong must be executed.
Myeong said that she would reflect on her mistakes for the rest of her life. She claimed her judgement had weakened at the time of the stabbing as she was receiving mental health treatment.
Prosecutors said Myeong showed no remorse during the investigation, yet she submitted letters to the court expressing regret. Myeong had previously requested a six-month leave of absence due to depression but returned to work after a doctor's assessment.
In the days leading up to the incident, Myeong exhibited violent behaviors, including putting another teacher in a headlock. On the morning of the stabbing, education officials were present at the school to investigate her earlier altercation. Myeong later told police that she had brought a weapon to school with the intention of killing herself along with a random child.
Kim was reported missing when a bus driver alerted the school after she didn’t arrive, and she was found later with stab wounds alongside Myeong.
South Korean leaders have called for increased safety measures in schools to prevent such incidents from recurring. Myeong will also be required to wear an electronic location tracking device for 30 years.
"As an elementary school teacher, the accused was in a position to protect the victim," stated the court's verdict. "But she committed this brutal crime in which a child was not protected where they should be most safe.
Myeong Jae-wan, 48, killed Kim Hae-neul after luring her into a classroom in the central city of Daejeon in February.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for Myeong, saying that the victim's family had asked for a harsh punishment. However, the court stated that while ʻthe risk of reoffending is high, it is difficult to concludeʼ that Myeong must be executed.
Myeong said that she would reflect on her mistakes for the rest of her life. She claimed her judgement had weakened at the time of the stabbing as she was receiving mental health treatment.
Prosecutors said Myeong showed no remorse during the investigation, yet she submitted letters to the court expressing regret. Myeong had previously requested a six-month leave of absence due to depression but returned to work after a doctor's assessment.
In the days leading up to the incident, Myeong exhibited violent behaviors, including putting another teacher in a headlock. On the morning of the stabbing, education officials were present at the school to investigate her earlier altercation. Myeong later told police that she had brought a weapon to school with the intention of killing herself along with a random child.
Kim was reported missing when a bus driver alerted the school after she didn’t arrive, and she was found later with stab wounds alongside Myeong.
South Korean leaders have called for increased safety measures in schools to prevent such incidents from recurring. Myeong will also be required to wear an electronic location tracking device for 30 years.
"As an elementary school teacher, the accused was in a position to protect the victim," stated the court's verdict. "But she committed this brutal crime in which a child was not protected where they should be most safe.
