"Had to Stay Calm" Daejeon Elementary Student Murder Teacher, Unable to Attend Face-to-Face Investigation for 6 Days

Arrest Warrant and Disclosure of Personal Information Likely to Be Delayed

A teacher in his 40s named Myeongmo, who killed an elementary school student in Daejeon and then self-harmed, has not undergone a face-to-face investigation six days after his surgery.

On the 16th, Yonhap News reported that the teacher's physical condition is not critical nor is he unable to communicate. However, the face-to-face investigation has been postponed based on a doctor's opinion that he needs to "rest a bit more."

Myeong, who self-harmed his neck immediately after the crime, is currently resting in the hospital after surgery. According to the police, Myeong stated on the day of the incident, "When students finished their class in the care classroom right in front of the audiovisual room, I didn't care which child it was. Thinking of dying together, I deceived the last child to go by telling them I would give them a book, lured them into the audiovisual room, strangled their neck, and stabbed them with a knife."

Joint memorial altar for Kim Ha-neul (8), the elementary school student victim of a murder case, set up at an elementary school in Seo-gu, Daejeon. Photo by Yonhap News

The university hospital where Myeong is currently admitted is the same hospital that issued the psychiatric doctor's opinion submitted to the school when he took leave and returned to work. Yonhap News reported that as the face-to-face investigation was delayed according to the doctor's opinion, the dedicated investigation team is attempting to investigate Myeong using other methods.

As the face-to-face investigation is delayed, the execution of the arrest warrant and the decision on whether to disclose personal information are also expected to be postponed. According to the Act on Disclosure of Personal Information of Specific Serious Crime Suspects, there are three main conditions under which a suspect's personal information can be disclosed during investigation or trial stages: △ when the crime method is cruel and serious damage has occurred △ when there is sufficient evidence to believe the suspect committed the crime △ when it is necessary solely for public interest such as guaranteeing the public's right to know, preventing recidivism, and crime prevention.

The prosecution and police hold a personal information disclosure review committee with external experts to decide whether to disclose the suspect's personal information based on this law. If the suspect immediately objects to the disclosure, a minimum grace period of five days must be given. This procedure is to protect the human rights of the person subject to disclosure and to guarantee their right to defense.

An 8-year-old girl, Kim Haneul, who was killed by a teacher at school, was laid to rest on the 14th. Family members carrying Haneul's portrait are leaving the funeral hall. Photo by Yonhap News.

The execution period of the arrest warrant has reportedly been adjusted to 30 days instead of the usual 7 days, considering Myeong's health condition as a variable.

Meanwhile, Myeong had previously been a homeroom teacher but became a subject-specialized teacher after returning to work, and it is reported that he was dissatisfied with this. The police revealed that Myeong said, "I was annoyed three days after returning to work. The vice principal prevented me from entering the class."

According to the education office and others, five days before the incident, on the 5th, Myeong damaged a computer saying, "The work portal is not connecting quickly," and on the 6th, when a colleague teacher found it suspicious that he was alone in a dark classroom and asked, "Will you leave work together?" and "Shall we talk?" Myeong reportedly became violent toward the colleague teacher and said, "Why do I have to be this unhappy?"