Ministry calls for disciplinary action against Daejeon school administrators due to the teacher who committed the heinous crime of student murder.
In Daejeon, South Korea, the trial concerning Myeong Jae-wan, a former elementary school teacher, is currently underway. Myeong stands accused of the February 10th murder of a 7-year-old student, Kim Ha-neul, for which she was indicted under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The alleged crime involved luring the victim into an empty room and subsequently stabbing her to death.
The initial court hearing took place on May 26th, 2025, at the Daejeon District Court. Myeong's defense requested a psychiatric evaluation, citing her depression and other mental health issues as potential factors. However, prosecutors contend that the crime was premeditated, arguing that Myeong's mental condition should not be taken into account during the trial.
Myeong has been dismissed from her teaching position by the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education. Her case has also led to a civil suit filed by the victim's family, seeking compensation not only from Myeong but also from the school's principal and the metropolitan government of Daejeon. Despite this dismissal, Myeong remains eligible for a government pension, though it may be reduced by half.
The Education Ministry has expressed concern over the incident, calling for punishment for school officials who allegedly failed to address Myeong's erratic behavior prior to the incident. The trial is expected to continue, with Myeong's next court date scheduled for April 28th.
News sources reported that Myeong displayed no signs of remorse during her initial public appearance after her arrest, appearing calm and expressionless when photographed in a police vehicle on March 7th. Concurrently, the family of the slain student is pursuing legal action, aiming to seek justice for their lost loved one.
The Education Ministry has expressed its concern over the incident, calling for punishment for school officials who allegedly failed to address Myeong's erratic behavior prior to the incident, which highlights the importance of general-news and the role of education in shaping crime-and-justice. Meanwhile, the family of the slain student is pursuing legal action not only against Myeong, but also the school's principal and the metropolitan government of Daejeon, as the trial progresses in the politics sphere, with Myeong's next court date scheduled for April 28th.
