Eight-year-old student stabbed to death by teacher in South Korea

A shocking incident has occurred in South Korea, where a teacher fatally stabbed an eight-year-old girl at an elementary school. The female teacher, in her 40s, admitted to the crime in the central city of Daejeon, according to police. The girl was found on the second floor of the school building at 6:00 PM local time (9:00 AM GMT) with multiple stab wounds and was later declared dead at the hospital. The teacher was found alongside the girl with injuries that police believe may have been self-inflicted.

South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, ordered an immediate investigation into the incident on Tuesday and called for measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The school was closed on Tuesday, and some local residents placed flowers and a stuffed toy at the school gate in tribute.

The teacher had requested a six-month leave of absence in December, citing depression, but returned to work just 20 days later after a doctor confirmed she was fit to resume her duties, according to the Daejeon education office. Authorities confirmed that the teacher did not have any personal relationship with the victim.

Reports indicate that the teacher had shown signs of violent behavior shortly before the stabbing, including an incident in which she put another teacher in a headlock. Two officials from the education office had visited the school earlier that day to investigate the altercation. The girl was reported missing later that evening after the bus driver informed the school that she had not been picked up.

Police are continuing to interrogate the teacher after she undergoes surgery for her injuries. Following the altercation with the colleague, the education office had recommended the teacher be placed on leave and separated from other staff, and she had been seated near the vice principal’s desk for closer monitoring. Since her leave in December, she had not been teaching and had no contact with the eight-year-old student.

Although South Korea is considered a safe country with strict gun control laws, it has faced several high-profile crimes in recent years, including stabbings. Acting president Choi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “It pains me to see such an incident because a school should be our safest space. I offer my deepest condolences to the victim’s family, who have suffered great shock and agony.”