25.10.20.Today News : Teacher Who Killed Elementary Student in Daejeon Sentenced to Life in Prison

Teacher Who Killed Elementary Student in Daejeon Sentenced to Life in Prison

📍Court Condemns “Unprecedented Brutality at a Place Meant to Be Safest for Children”

A teacher in Daejeon, 48-year-old Myung Jae-wan, who murdered an eight-year-old student in his after-school care class, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial. The court stated that the incident, which took place inside a school where safety should be guaranteed, warrants permanent isolation from society.

Myeong Jae-wan was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial on charges of murdering a student at an elementary school.

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🔹Life Sentence for Daejeon Teacher Who Killed Student
The Daejeon District Court’s 12th Criminal Division sentenced Myung Jae-wan to life imprisonment on October 20 under charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The court also ordered a 30-year electronic ankle monitor. Myung lured his first-grade student, Kim Ha-neul (8), into the school’s audiovisual room under the pretense of giving her a book, then fatally stabbed her with a knife he had prepared in advance.

🔹Anger and Personal Frustration Led to the Murder
Investigations revealed that Myung committed the crime to release pent-up anger stemming from family conflict and difficulties readjusting to work after reinstatement. In the days leading up to the crime, he had kicked and destroyed a school computer and assaulted a fellow teacher.

🔹 “An Unprecedented Crime by a Teacher”
In its ruling, the court stated, “This is an unprecedented crime in which an elementary school teacher brutally killed a seven-year-old child inside the school where he worked.” The judge emphasized that Myung had “betrayed his duty to protect children” and that “considering the nature and risk of reoffending, he must be permanently isolated from society.”

🔹 Mental Illness Claim Rejected
Although psychiatric evaluation confirmed that Myung suffered from major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, the court did not recognize it as a mitigating factor. “Even if mental illness existed, leniency is at the judge’s discretion,” the court ruled, noting that Myung “had the ability to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the crime.”

🔹 No Death Penalty — Life Imprisonment Deemed Appropriate
While acknowledging the brutality of the crime, the court chose not to impose the death penalty. It stated, “Though the defendant poses a high risk of reoffending, permanent deprivation of life through execution is not justified.” The judge also remarked that issues such as parole “should be considered administratively in the future” and noted that measures like electronic monitoring would continue to protect potential victims.

🔹 Family’s Anguish and Desire for Appeal
The victim’s family broke down in tears after the verdict. Their attorney commented, “The court’s rejection of the insanity plea was appropriate, but given the family’s suffering, the prosecution may consider appealing.” The family expressed disappointment that “a life sentence allows parole eligibility after 20 years” and said they plan to request an appeal.

🔹Teacher Dismissed from Post
The Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education dismissed Myung in April following a disciplinary hearing. As Myung did not contest the decision, his dismissal was finalized. Education officials pledged to strengthen psychological assessments and counseling programs for teachers to prevent similar tragedies.

One-line summary : Teacher Myung Jae-wan, who murdered his student at an elementary school in Daejeon, was sentenced to life imprisonment in his first trial.