South Korea has been left in shock following a tragic incident in which a female teacher fatally stabbed an eight-year-old student at an elementary school in the city of Daejeon.
Authorities confirmed that the teacher, in her 40s, confessed to the crime after the young girl was found with multiple stab wounds on the second floor of the school building around 6:00 PM local time on Monday.
The teacher, who was discovered beside the victim with apparent self-inflicted injuries, is currently receiving medical attention as police prepare to interrogate her further.
The devastating attack has raised serious concerns about safety in schools, with acting President Choi Sang-mok calling for an urgent investigation.
“A school should be our safest space,” he stated, offering condolences to the victim’s grieving family and urging authorities to implement measures to prevent similar tragedies.
Local residents have responded with an outpouring of grief, laying flowers and a stuffed doll at the school gate, which remained closed on Tuesday.
The case has also sparked questions about how a teacher with a history of troubling behavior was allowed to remain in the school environment.
Officials revealed that the teacher had requested a six-month leave of absence for depression in December but returned to work just 20 days later after being deemed fit by a doctor.
In the days leading up to the stabbing, she allegedly exhibited violent behavior, including putting a fellow teacher in a headlock.
On the morning of the attack, education officials were at the school investigating that incident, and recommendations had been made to separate her from colleagues.
She had not been assigned any teaching duties or had any prior relationship with the victim, making the attack all the more shocking.
The young girl’s absence was first noticed when a school bus driver reported that she had not arrived for pickup. By then, the horrific crime had already taken place.
South Korea is generally known for its low crime rates and strict gun control laws.
However, in recent years, the country has seen a rise in high-profile violent crimes, including stabbings.
This latest incident has reignited public debate about mental health awareness, school safety protocols, and the effectiveness of screening teachers for psychological fitness.
As investigations continue, authorities are under pressure to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
Meanwhile, the grieving family and the shocked community are left searching for answers in a case that has shaken the nation to its core.
