"Weak-minded teacher should receive treatment..." Words from Haneul, who became a star, to his father

Mourners, Including School Officials, Continue to Pay Respects at the Funeral Hall

"The government should enact the 'Haneul Law' to ensure that teachers with diminished mental capacity receive treatment and to take responsibility for the safety of lower-grade students leaving school, so that a second Haneul does not appear."

These were the words of father A at the funeral of Kim Haneul (8), the victim of the elementary school student murder case in Daejeon on the 11th. Yonhap News reported on the scene at the funeral hall of Konyang University where Kim Haneul's funeral was held. Visitors continued to come to pay their respects in front of the school.

On the 11th, a funeral parlor in Seo-gu, Daejeon, was set up as the mourning place for Kim Ha-neul (8), the victim of the Daejeon elementary school murder case. The bereaved family stated, "We decided to reveal the child's name and face because we believe that another Ha-neul must never occur." Yonhap News

At the funeral, the father emphasized to reporters, "Please pray that such an incident never happens again in South Korea and that Haneul can run freely and peacefully in heaven."

He continued, "How can any parent send their child to school with peace of mind when a teacher kills a student? A certified teacher killed my daughter," and described the situation: "Haneul was stabbed dozens of times in her left neck, armpit, and other areas, and there were signs of resistance. There were also severe knife wounds on her hands."

He added, "My daughter would have naturally gone when the teacher called her, and I always tell my child that mom, dad, and school teachers are superheroes who protect you," and said, "You have to be careful if someone else calls you... but the school teacher killed her."

Regarding some public opinion that the suspect teacher might receive a reduced sentence due to claims of 'diminished mental capacity' caused by depression, he said, "I heard that after reinstatement, he assaulted a fellow teacher," and expressed his greatest fear: "My biggest worry is that he might receive a lighter sentence due to 'diminished mental capacity'."

On the morning of the 11th, at an elementary school in Seo-gu, Daejeon, where a first-grade female student was murdered, parents are holding a memorial for Kim Haneul, who died along with her young child. Photo by Yonhap News

In front of Haneul's portrait, who was said to have loved idol group IVE's Jang Wonyoung very much during her lifetime, there was an IVE photo card. There was also a wreath sent in the name of 'singer IVE' at the funeral. Mr. A said, "Even if my younger sibling wants to watch Pororo, she insists on watching Jang Wonyoung," and added, "I would be grateful if Jang Wonyoung could say a warm word to Haneul on her way."

Mourners were unable to pay their respects for a while due to crying and instead embraced and comforted the bereaved family. Friends of Haneul's age and parents continued to visit the funeral.

Earlier, at around 5:50 p.m. the previous day, Kim Haneul and teacher B were found stabbed in the audiovisual room on the second floor of an elementary school building in Seo-gu, Daejeon. The police confirmed that on the day of the crime, the 10th, teacher B purchased a weapon near the school during lunch break. Considering that B pre-purchased and prepared the weapon before the crime, the police are investigating B on suspicion of murder.

The police are also reportedly reviewing whether to disclose the teacher's identity. Following the procedures of the suspect identity disclosure review committee, the police plan to proceed with the committee after obtaining the consent of the bereaved family.

If the committee decides to disclose the identity, the police intend to immediately reveal B's identity. Identity disclosure is made if the committee members attending the meeting agree by two-thirds or more, considering the importance of the case, the risk of reoffending, and for the public interest such as the public's right to know and prevention of reoffending.