On the 6th, the teacher damaged a school PC and showed violent tendencies toward a colleague
Daejeon Office of Education: "Not subject to the Teacher Health Review Committee"
Mourning period from the 11th to the 14th... Emergency counseling and psychological support for students and staff
Choi Jaemo, Superintendent of Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education, is holding a briefing on the elementary school student's death incident on the morning of the 11th. / Daejeon Photo by Park Jongmyung
While the shocking incident of a first-grade elementary school student being murdered by a female teacher at school is still unfolding, it has been revealed that the perpetrating teacher had shown violent tendencies toward a fellow teacher just four days prior.
According to the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education on the 11th, the teacher in question took a six-month medical leave due to a mental illness starting December 9 last year, but returned to work early at the end of the year based on an expert’s diagnosis stating she was fit for daily life.
After returning, the teacher worked as a subject teacher. On the 6th, she reportedly damaged an office portal PC out of frustration when it did not connect quickly, and on her way home, displayed violent behavior by grabbing a fellow teacher’s wrist tightly and seizing their neck after they spoke to her.
In response, the school instructed her to be cautious and apologize. On the day of the murder, the 10th, two supervisors from the Seobu Education Support Office visited the school in the morning to assess the situation and separated her to work next to the vice principal. However, the horrific incident occurred that afternoon.
An official from the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education stated, “We allowed her to return to work based on an expert’s diagnosis that she had recovered enough for daily life,” and added, “She was not subject to the Teacher Health Review Committee, which deals with repeated complaints or abnormal behavior during audits.”
The official continued, “The female teacher had no connection whatsoever to the victimized student,” and said, “As the police are investigating the motive, we will analyze the cause and establish measures to prevent recurrence as soon as the results are available.”
Previously, around 6 p.m. on the 10th, A, a female student, and B, a teacher in her 40s from the same school, were found stabbed in the audiovisual room on the second floor of an elementary school building in Gwanjeo-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon.
Both A and B were taken to a nearby hospital, but A died, and B admitted to committing the crime.
Meanwhile, the Daejeon Office of Education closed the school for the day on the 11th and plans to adjust the academic schedule in cooperation with the school.
Additionally, a mourning period has been designated from the 11th to the 14th, during which mourning education will be conducted at schools in the district. Emergency psychological counseling and support will also be provided to students and staff through mental health centers.
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