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A devastating incident at an elementary school in Daejeon has left the nation reeling. On Monday evening, an elementary school teacher in her 40s fatally stabbed an eight-year-old student, sparking widespread shock and mourning across South Korea.
The young girl was discovered on the second floor of the school building with multiple stab wounds and, despite rapid efforts, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Police reports reveal that the teacher was found beside the body with stab wounds that authorities suspect may have been self-inflicted. In a chilling confession, she admitted to purchasing a weapon on the day of the attack and disclosed plans to take her own life along with that of a child—adding a haunting layer to an already tragic episode. According to her testimony, she did not care which child was targeted, ultimately luring the young victim into a media room before carrying out the assault.
The incident comes on the heels of troubling signs from earlier this year. On December 9, the teacher had taken a six-month leave of absence from her duties, citing depression. However, she returned to work merely 20 days later after a doctor cleared her to resume teaching—a decision that now raises grave questions about the adequacy of mental health evaluations and support. In the days preceding the attack, she was reportedly involved in a violent altercation with a colleague, which prompted school officials to recommend that she be separated from other staff members and kept under close watch by seating her near the vice principal’s desk. Despite these measures, she had no direct contact with the victim prior to the tragedy.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, stressing that schools must be safe havens for children. “It pains me to see such incidents because a school should be our safest space,” Choi said, offering deep condolences to the bereaved family. The closure of the school on Tuesday and the sight of locals leaving flowers and a stuffed doll at its gate are stark reminders of the collective grief gripping the community.
While South Korea is known for its strict gun control laws and overall public safety, this tragic event has ignited a national debate about the mental health support provided to educators and the measures in place to monitor their well-being. Questions now linger over how a teacher with known depressive symptoms and a recent history of violent behavior could be permitted to return to a school environment so swiftly.
As authorities continue to probe the details of the case, many are calling for a re-evaluation of protocols to prevent future tragedies. This incident, horrifying in its implications, serves as a sobering wake-up call to ensure that those entrusted with the safety and education of children are rigorously supported and closely monitored.
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/tragic-incident-at-daejeon-school-shakes-south-korea/
