The case of a 40-year-old female teacher in Daejeon city stabbing to death an 8-year-old student due to a mental disorder is shaking public opinion in Korea. This heartbreaking incident raises questions about the loopholes in the management of teachers with mental illness and the safety of students in the educational environment.

A 40-year-old female teacher at an elementary school in Seo District, Daejeon City (South Korea) stabbed an 8-year-old female student to death on February 10. The female teacher was diagnosed with mental disorders, including depression. Previously, the teacher had committed violent acts against her colleagues, such as strangling and twisting her arms, leading to her suspension from teaching. The incident occurred just 4 days after she was suspended, raising concerns about students being “exposed” to people with mental problems in the school environment.

According to the Daejeon City Office of Education and the police, the teacher had been on medical leave since December 9 of last year for an expected six months. However, after only about 20 days, she returned to work with a medical certificate from her doctor confirming that she had recovered and was able to resume her normal activities. Although she was initially told that she needed six months off to treat her depression, she quickly returned to school.

8-year-old girl accidentally becomes victim of depressed female teacher

However, after returning to school, the female teacher showed violent behavior, causing concern to her colleagues. Mr. Choi Jae-mo, Director of the Daejeon City Office of Education, said: “On February 5, the teacher damaged the device because she could not access the work portal. On February 6, she strangled and twisted the arm of a colleague . “

During the fight, the teacher said to her colleague: “Why am I the only one who has to suffer?” This statement shows her extremely unstable and resentful mental state. 

According to her statement to the police, the female teacher said she felt angry because she was suspended from teaching, which led to her killing the student. Seo District Police Chief Yook Jong-myung said the suspect said: “I felt angry after only 3 days of returning to school, they stopped me from teaching.” 

The teacher had been treated for depression since 2018. On the day of the crime, she bought a knife outside the school with the intention of killing a student and then herself. She told police: “I don’t care which child, I just want to find one to die with.” She lured the last victim out of the classroom by promising to give her books, then strangled and stabbed him to death.