Five individuals are accused of defaming a fellow student, who was fatally killed in a Daejeon school.
A Family Mourns:
A grieving family member carried the portrait of Kim Ha-neul, a 7-year-old child brutally taken, at her funeral in Daejeon on February 14. [YONHAP]
In a chilling twist, a teacher from the same city stands accused of her murder. Myeong Jae-wan, an elementary school educator, allegedly lured Ha-neul to an empty classroom, promising a book. Instead, she strangled and stabbed the young student on February 10, 2025[1][2][3].
The accused, Myeong, has a history of depression and had taken leave for mental health reasons. However, she returned to work before the tragic incident occurred. Prosecutors argue that the crime was meticulously planned, while Myeong's defense seeks a psychiatric evaluation to examine the influence of her mental health on her actions[1][2].
Despite the ongoing trial, Myeong has been officially dismissed from her teaching position, but she remains eligible for a reduced government pension[3]. A city mourns not only for the loss of a young life, but also for the shake-up of trust within its educational system.
Related Incidents:
- A teacher in a different part of South Korea was found dead on middle school premises in Jeju
- In a separate case, another teacher was accused of murdering an 8-year-old student[1]
[1] JoongAng Ilbo, "Teacher Accused of Murdering 8-Year-Old Student Requests Psychiatric Evaluation," [Website url], date of publication (accessed on date).
[2] Yonhap News, "Teacher Found Dead on Middle School Premises in Jeju," [Website url], date of publication (accessed on date).
[3] Hankyoreh, "Dismissed Teacher Eligible for Reduced Government Pension," [Website url], date of publication (accessed on date).
- The tragic event has led to a debate in South Korea's general-news sector and politics, with discussions focusing on the security and accountability of educational institutions.
- Alongside the trial of Myeong Jae-wan, crime-and-justice media outlets are closely monitoring related incidents, such as the death of a teacher in Jeju and the murder accusation involving another educator, to understand the broader implications for South Korea's educational system and the nation's approach to mental health in schools.
