South Korean Teacher Fatally Stabs 8-Year-Old Student in Elementary School
Authorities in South Korea are investigating a tragic incident where an elementary school teacher fatally stabbed an eight-year-old student. The attack took place on Monday at a school in Daejeon, a central city in the country, according to local reports.
The teacher, a woman in her 40s, was found alongside the injured student by police officers responding to the scene. She later admitted responsibility for the attack, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Student Succumbs to Injuries
Emergency responders rushed the young girl to the hospital in an unconscious state, but she later succumbed to her injuries. Authorities confirmed that she had suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck and face, according to a statement from the local fire department.
The teacher was also found with injuries to her neck and arms, which officials suspect were self-inflicted.
Teacher’s Mental Health History
Investigations revealed that the teacher had previously taken a leave of absence due to depression but had returned to work late last year, Yonhap reported.
At the time of the attack, the student was attending an after-school childcare program and was scheduled to participate in a private art class later that day. When the child failed to arrive for her class, her parents reported her missing, prompting police to search for her.
Officers discovered both the student and the teacher at approximately 6:00 p.m. The teacher was taken to a hospital for treatment, and authorities stated they would resume questioning her once she recovered from surgery.
Rising Concerns Over Violent Incidents
South Korea is considered one of the safest countries globally, with a low homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people in 2021—significantly below the global average of six per 100,000. However, the country has recently experienced an increase in high-profile violent crimes.
In July 2023, a fatal stabbing incident occurred at a subway station in Seoul, resulting in one death and three injuries. The attacker later admitted to wanting to inflict misery on others due to his own personal struggles.
Another violent attack took place in August when a high school teacher was stabbed in Daejeon. Around the same time, a suspect drove a car onto a pedestrian walkway in Bundang, near Seoul, before entering a department store and attacking bystanders with a knife. Authorities later discovered that the attacker had researched similar incidents before carrying out the crime.
In a separate case, South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was also attacked in 2023. He was stabbed in the neck while visiting the city of Busan, underscoring growing concerns about public safety.
Authorities continue to investigate the tragic school stabbing in Daejeon, with plans to question the teacher further once her medical condition stabilizes.
