South Korean teacher accused of stabbing 7-year-old reportedly laughed in hospital

The suspect had a history of mental health issues and previously assaulted a colleague, according to local media reports.

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A portrait of Kim Ha-neul is displayed at an altar at a hospital in the central city of Daejeon, two days after she was stabbed to death by her teacher. Photo: dpa

Published: 12:46pm, 21 Feb 2025Updated: 9:25pm, 21 Feb 2025

A South Korean teacher who allegedly stabbed a seven-year-old pupil to death had laughed while she was being treated in hospital for self-inflicted wounds after the horrific incident, according to local media.

Korean-language daily Hankook Ilbo reported on Thursday that the suspect, surnamed Myeong, 48, received emergency treatment on the evening of February 10 and had laughed out loud, causing confusion among medical staff who at the time did not know about the stabbing.

Myeong was suspected of attempting to take her life by slashing her own neck after killing Kim Ha-neul, a seven-year-old first-grader, at their elementary school in the city of Daejeon.

The motive for the stabbing remains unclear as police have been unable to interrogate the suspect due to her health condition.

Myeong reportedly admitted to the crime before getting surgery, saying: “It didn’t matter which kid it was. I was going to kill myself and the child who was the last to go home.”

South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang-mok offers a silent prayer in front of an altar for Kim Ha-neul at a hospital in Daejeon, South Korea, on February 12. Photo: EPA-EFE

Kim’s death is being treated as a national tragedy. Acting president Choi Sang-mok attended her funeral on Wednesday to console Kim’s family, with suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol sending his condolences through lawyers.