A South Korean court has sentenced 48-year-old teacher Myeong Jae-wan to life in prison for fatally stabbing her 8-year-old student Kim Hae-neul, in a case that shocked the nation.
The Daejeon District Court ruled that while “the risk of reoffending is high, it is difficult to conclude” that the death penalty is necessary, rejecting prosecutors’ call for execution. The court also ordered Myeong to wear an electronic tracking device for 30 years.
Myeong lured Kim into a media classroom at an elementary school in Daejeon in February before stabbing her. She told police she had planned to kill herself along with a random child.
During the trial, Myeong said she would “reflect on her mistakes for the rest of her life,” claiming her judgment was impaired due to mental health treatment. Prosecutors said she showed no remorse during investigations, though she later submitted dozens of apology letters.
The Daejeon education office said Myeong had previously taken a six-month leave citing depression but returned after 20 days. Days before the killing, she displayed violent behaviour, including putting another teacher in a headlock.
The government later called for stronger safety measures to prevent similar tragedies. The court said, “As an elementary school teacher, the accused was in a position to protect the victim, but she committed this brutal crime where a child should have been safest.”
