Myung Jaewan Sentenced to Life in First Trial for Murder of Daejeon Elementary Student (Comprehensive)

"Considering the purpose of the crime, permanent isolation is necessary"

Myung Jaewan, a teacher indicted for the murder of Kim Haneul, an elementary school student in Daejeon, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial.

Myung Jaewan, whose identity was disclosed on charges of murdering an elementary school student.

On October 20, the 12th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Byungman, sentenced Myung to life imprisonment on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (kidnapping for profit and enticement, among others).

The court stated, "Murder is a crime that takes away human life. This unprecedented case involved a teacher at an elementary school brutally killing a seven-year-old student at his workplace. As an elementary school teacher, he was in a position to protect the victim, but instead, he committed a heinous crime in what should have been the safest place for children and adolescents."

Myung is believed to have committed this "crime with abnormal motivation," brutally killing an elementary school student, a weaker individual, to vent his anger stemming from feelings of alienation due to family discord, regret over a hasty return to work, and difficulties adapting to his workplace. It was also reported that Myung suffered from abandonment anxiety and had difficulty regulating his emotions.

The court acknowledged that Myung was in a somewhat abnormal psychological state but found no circumstances that would warrant leniency. The court explained its sentencing by stating, "The defendant lured the most vulnerable and easily subdued child to vent his anger. Considering the purpose of the crime and the risk of recidivism, it is deemed necessary to permanently isolate the defendant from society."

On February 10, at around 5 p.m., Myung allegedly lured Kim Haneul, who was leaving after finishing an after-school care class at the elementary school where he worked, into the audiovisual room under the pretense of giving her a book, and then killed her. Investigations revealed that prior to the crime, Myung had searched the internet for methods of murder and purchased a weapon in advance.

Additionally, Myung is accused of kicking and damaging a school work computer four to five days before the crime and assaulting a fellow teacher who had suggested leaving work together.

Previously, on September 22, prosecutors had requested the death penalty for Myung, stating, "The parents and family of the victimized child are hoping for the harshest punishment for the defendant, with unbearable grief." The prosecution added, "He brutally murdered an innocent child. Despite submitting dozens of letters of apology, he showed no signs of remorse during the investigation."