Police review identity disclosure of Daejeon stabbing suspect
Amid growing concerns over school safety following the tragic death of an 8-year-old who was stabbed by her elementary school teacher in Daejeon, the government and ruling party have rolled out plans to enhance school safety measures, identify teachers who are mentally vulnerable and to support necessary treatment.
In a policy meeting, the government and People Power Party agreed to launch a nationwide emergency school safety inspection before the start of the new semester in March to prevent similar incidents.
One of the key initiatives discussed was the swift passage of the "Kim Ha-neul Law," a proposed bill named for the victim that is aimed at removing high-risk teachers with severe mental health issues or violent tendencies from classrooms.
The bill would enable the Education Ministry to immediately separate such individuals from their teaching duties and place them on mandatory leave following a thorough review. Dispatching emergency response teams and conducting mandatory evaluations to assess the teachers' fitness for duty for reinstatement are also included measures.
"Those seeking reinstatement will undergo psychological evaluations to ensure they have fully recovered before returning to the classroom," Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said, speaking to the lawmakers.
To further support teachers' mental health, the government will introduce regular psychological self-assessments for educators, as well as expanded counseling and treatment services. A nationwide teacher wellness support network will be strengthened through 32 education activity protection centers and over 1,400 affiliated counseling and psychological treatment institutions.
Additionally, safety protocols for first and second grade students enrolled in governmental after-school programs will be reinforced. Students will now follow a mandatory face-to-face handover and escorted return home policy, with self-dismissal allowed only if a guardian submits a signed consent form.
The government also plans to increase the number of school police officers to bolster security patrols around school premises. The installation of surveillance cameras in schools' blind spots will also be expanded, particularly in hallways, staircases and after-school care areas.
To ensure student safety beyond school hours, at least two staff members will remain on duty until the last student departs, and an enhanced student departure notification system will be implemented through local education offices or private mobile applications.
The government vowed to swiftly enact legal and institutional reforms, including the passage of the Kim Ha-neul Law, to ensure a safer school environment. It also pledged to keep the public informed and engage in open communication with schools and parents to ensure effective implementation of the new measures.
Meanwhile, police are reviewing whether to disclose the identity of the 40-year-old teacher suspected of murdering the elementary school student, in response to growing public interest in the case.
The suspect, identified by the surname Myung, allegedly stabbed and killed the victim inside an elementary school in Daejeon on Feb. 10, before attempting to take her own life.
Investigators suspect the teacher carefully planned the attack, as she had reportedly prepared a weapon in advance. However, a formal interrogation has been delayed, as she remains hospitalized following operations for her self-inflicted injuries.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
