Elementary School Student Murdered by Female Teacher, Purchased Knife Claiming to Prepare Fish... Evidence of Premeditated Crime

Bereaved Family: "A weapon unobtainable at school... a planned murder"
Former Police Officer: "A premeditated crime by someone fully capable of discernment"
Clear defensive wounds on the victim's body show the elementary student struggled to fend off the teacher's attack

On the day of the crime, the teacher A (in his 40s) at an elementary school in Daejeon, who is accused of murdering 8-year-old elementary student Kim Ha-neul, went out without permission on the 10th, purchased a weapon, and then returned to the school. YTN

In Daejeon, an incident occurred where a female teacher in her 40s fatally stabbed an 8-year-old first grader, Kim Haneul, with a weapon. It has been revealed that the teacher, identified as Myung, purchased the weapon used in the crime, increasing the likelihood that this was a premeditated act.

According to Yonhap News on the 13th, police secured testimony that on the day of the crime, around 1:30 PM on the 10th, teacher Myung visited a kitchenware store in Daejeon and asked the clerk, "Do you have a sharp knife?" It was reported that when the clerk inquired about the intended use of the knife, Myung replied that it was for preparing fish.

While the bereaved family insists this was a "100% premeditated crime," this statement by Myung could be crucial evidence in proving premeditation. Mr. A, a former head of a criminal investigation division at a frontline police station, told Yonhap News, "The very purpose of purchasing the knife indicates an intention to commit the crime. The fact that a teacher made such a statement shows an effort to carry out the crime more perfectly, which can be seen as a planned crime." He added, "The search for a sharp knife clearly shows awareness that it could cause fatal injuries, meaning the weapon was purchased with full understanding. This suggests the crime was committed by someone fully capable of discerning right from wrong, rather than an act caused by diminished mental capacity or mental illness."

Earlier, around 5:50 PM on the 10th, at an elementary school in Daejeon, the female teacher in her 40s killed Kim Haneul and was found injured from self-harm. Before undergoing surgery, the teacher confessed to the crime and is reported to be recovering after the operation. According to police statements, the teacher targeted the last student leaving after care class, lured her to the audiovisual room under the pretense of giving her a book, strangled her, and stabbed her with a weapon. It was revealed that the teacher left without permission after telling a colleague "I’m going to the restroom" near the end of lunchtime, purchased the weapon, and then returned to the school.

On the 12th, a portrait photo of Kim Ha-neul, smiling brightly during her lifetime, was placed at her funeral altar. Photo by Yonhap News

On the body of Kim Haneul, who died from the weapon wielded by the teacher, defensive wounds were found, indicating efforts to fend off the attack. The National Forensic Service (NFS) conducted an autopsy and concluded the cause of death was "multiple sharp force injuries." The bereaved family demanded severe punishment, stating, "They will probably claim diminished mental capacity no matter what. How can this not be a planned murder when the attack was carried out with a kitchen knife that cannot be obtained at an elementary school?" Police are focusing their investigation on proving the motive and premeditation of teacher Myung based on the autopsy results and collected evidence.