SEOUL, South Korea — Authorities in South Korea are currently interrogating an elementary school teacher who is suspected of fatally stabbing a first-grade student in Daejeon.
The tragic incident that took place during after-school care on Monday has left the nation in disbelief and prompted immediate action from the acting president, who has called for a review of safety protocols within schools.

The female teacher, believed to be in her forties, was reportedly receiving medical treatment for self-inflicted injuries sustained after the incident involving the young girl, which occurred in an audio-visual room located on the second floor of the educational facility. According to Yuk Jong-myeong, the chief of the Daejeon western district police station, the suspect disclosed that she had recently resumed her duties following a health-related leave.
She also revealed that she has been undergoing treatment for depression since 2018.

The first-grade student was reported missing at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time on Monday, leading both police and family members to search extensively throughout the school premises and nearby areas. It was the girl’s grandmother who discovered her in the audio-visual room at around 5:50 p.m. The child was quickly transported to a hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead.

Choi Sang-mok, the nation’s acting leader due to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. He has also urged educational officials to take all necessary actions to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

In the wake of this heartbreaking event, community members have begun to pay their respects, placing flowers and condolence messages at the entrance of the now-closed school.