High School Student Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Weapon Rampage Injuring Six at Cheongju School

High School Student Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Stabbing Six, Including Teachers, Inside and Outside School

A high school student who injured six people, including school staff, by wielding a weapon inside and outside his own high school, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

On the 27th, the 22nd Criminal Division of the Cheongju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Han Sangwon, sentenced the 17-year-old defendant, identified as A, who was indicted and detained on charges including attempted murder, to a maximum of eight years and a minimum of six years in prison, and ordered five years of probation.

A 17-year-old male, identified as A, who caused injury to six people including teachers and residents by wielding a weapon inside and outside a high school in Cheongju, is entering the Cheongju District Court on the afternoon of April 30 to attend a warrant hearing. Photo by Yonhap News.

Chief Judge Han stated, "The defendant attempted to kill teachers who should be safest at school, but failed, and then went outside the school and injured strangers. The crime was committed using weapons that had been prepared in advance, stabbing the victims multiple times. The methods were cruel and merciless."

He continued, "The victims appear to have suffered severe physical and psychological trauma and pain, and no settlement has been reached with them. However, in determining the sentence, the court considered that the defendant is a 17-year-old minor with the potential for rehabilitation, that a history of mental illness appears to have influenced some of the crimes, and that the defendant has admitted to and reflected on his actions."

A was put on trial for injuring six people, including school staff and citizens, by wielding a weapon at a high school in Cheongju at 8:36 a.m. on April 20. All six victims survived and are not in life-threatening condition.

A, who was a student eligible for special education, reportedly decided to commit the crime after experiencing difficulties in all aspects of school life, including relationships with peers. On the day of the incident, he left a note at home indicating his intent to kill, brought several weapons, and arrived at school earlier than usual. During the police investigation, A stated, "I just wanted to hurt anyone." He admitted to all charges during the trial.