South Korean police are currently investigating a tragic incident that occurred in Daejeon, where an elementary school teacher allegedly stabbed a first-grade student to death during after-school care. The shocking incident has deeply affected the nation, leading the acting president to order a review of school safety standards.
The suspect, a female teacher in her 40s, is undergoing medical treatment for self-inflicted wounds following the death of the young girl in an audio-visual room on the school's second floor. According to Chief Yuk Jong-myeong of Daejeon's western district police station, the suspect had recently returned to work after a period of leave for health reasons and had been receiving treatment for depression since 2018.
The tragic event unfolded when the first-grade student was reported missing at 5:15 p.m. local time on Monday. A search was conducted by police and family members throughout the school premises and nearby areas. The girl was discovered by her grandmother in the audio-visual room around 5:50 p.m. and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
In response to the incident, Choi Sang-mok, the acting president following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, has called for a thorough investigation into the matter. He has also directed education authorities to take necessary steps to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
The school remained closed on Tuesday, with visitors expressing their condolences by laying flowers and leaving letters at the school's entrance. The community is mourning the loss of the young student and grappling with the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.
