Seoul [South Korea], October 21: A South Korean court has sentenced a teacher to life in prison for fatally stabbing an eight-year-old girl, in a case that shocked the nation.
Myeong Jae-wan, 48, killed Kim Hae-neul after luring her into a classroom in the central city of Daejeon in February.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for Myeong, saying that the victim's family had asked for a harsh punishment.
But the court said that while "the risk of reoffending is high, it is difficult to conclude" that Myeong must be executed. Myeong said that she would reflect on her mistakes for the rest of her life.
She said her judgement had weakened at the time of the stabbing as she was receiving mental health treatment.
Prosecutors said Myeong showed no remorse while the case was being investigated. However, Myeong submitted dozens of letters to the court expressing remorse.
Myeong had previously requested a six-month leave of absence, citing depression, but returned to school 20 days later, after a doctor assessed her as being fit to work, the Daejeon education office said in February.
She had displayed violent behaviour in the days before the stabbing, including putting another teacher in a headlock, the education office said.
Source: Qatar Tribune