On February 10, a tragic incident unfolded at an elementary school in Daegu, South Korea, where a 7-year-old girl was brutally stabbed multiple times by her teacher. The attack, which took place inside the school premises, has sent shockwaves across the nation.
According to local authorities, the young victim was reported missing by her family after she failed to return home from her after-school program. Concerned relatives and school staff began searching for her, and around 5:18 p.m., the girl’s grandmother discovered her unconscious in a storage room within the school's audiovisual room. The child had sustained multiple stab wounds to her shoulders, hands, armpits, and face. She was immediately transported to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Teacher Confesses to Premeditated Murder
At the scene, police also found a woman in her 40s—later identified as the perpetrator—suffering from self-inflicted injuries. She was taken to a hospital, where she confessed to the crime, stating, "I stabbed the child."
According to investigators, the suspect, a full-time teacher at the school, lured the victim into the audiovisual room under the pretense of giving her a book. Once inside, she repeatedly stabbed the child with a knife she had purchased in advance.
Authorities revealed that the teacher had a history of mental health issues and had previously taken a leave of absence due to depression. Just days before the attack, she allegedly exhibited aggressive behavior toward colleagues. In her statement to police, she admitted, "I had suicidal thoughts while on leave. Three days after returning to work, I felt frustrated, and Vice principal didn't let me to proceed with the class, so I bought a knife from a nearby store."
In response to the tragedy, the school was immediately shut down, and law enforcement officials have launched a full-scale investigation in collaboration with school authorities.
The victim’s father revealed that the suspect had been a homeroom teacher at the school and that she also has a son who recently completed his college entrance exams.
Public Outcry and Legislative Action
The brutal killing has sparked nationwide outrage, with the public mourning the loss of the young girl and demanding stricter safety measures in schools. The incident has also reignited discussions on mental health policies for educators. In response, South Korean lawmakers are reportedly considering new regulations that would mandate teachers with psychological conditions to take compulsory leave to ensure student safety.
As the investigation continues, the tragedy has intensified calls for stricter mental health screenings and oversight in the education sector.
