The teacher, identified as A, who murdered 8-year-old Kim Haneul, was revealed to have purchased a knife with the purpose of killing an unspecified student before taking her own life.
On the 11th, the Daejeon Seobu Police Department held a briefing and revealed that A stated, "It didn't matter which child. I was planning to die together with them."
During questioning, A stated, "“I had been receiving treatment for depression since 2018 and thought about taking my own life during my leave of absence." A continued, "I felt irritated after returning to work, and the vice-principal prevented me from entering the classroom.” A had taken medical leave from December 9 to December 29 last year after getting diagnosed of depression and then returned to work on the 30th.
A admitted, "I bought a knife at a mart near the school and went into the audio-visual room because I didn't want to be in the teachers' office on the third floor. I kept the door open. When the students from the after-school classroom were leaving, I had the thought of dying together with any child, regardless of who it was." A continued, "I lured the last student (Kim Haneul) to the audio-visual room by saying that I would give her a book and then killed her."
Based on A’s testimony, police believe the victim was randomly chosen. However, they still need an additional investigation to determine whether the crime was random or planned.
A is currently recovering in the intensive care unit after receiving surgery. It is difficult to conduct a direct investigation as A is still wearing an oxygen mask.
The police have applied for an arrest warrant for A, along with search warrants for her vehicle, residence, and mobile phone. The investigation will focus on how A selected the victim, why the audo-visual room was chosen as the crime scene, the situation of A's school life after returning to work, and whether it was a planned crime.
Police are also considering reveal A’s identity after consulting with the victim’s family.
https://www.chosun.com/national/regional/chungcheong/2025/02/11/TPA2JPEHVJAFRLF5RQRNTBPZN4/
