Myung Jae-wan (48), a former elementary school teacher, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial for the murder of an 8-year-old child at an elementary school in Daejeon where he had worked. On the 20th, the Criminal Division 12 of the Daejeon District Court sentenced Myung Jae-wan, who was indicted on charges of murder and violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to life imprisonment and ordered him to wear an electronic tracking device for 30 years.

The court stated, "The defendant was in a position as an elementary school teacher to protect the victim, but committed a brutal crime in a school, which should have been the safest place, where the child was not protected." It added, "The defendant lured the most vulnerable and easily subdued child to express his anger, and considering the purpose of the crime and the risk of reoffending, it is recognized that he should be permanently isolated from society."

The prosecution demanded the death penalty for Myung Jae-wan on the 22nd, arguing, "Considering the brutal murder of an innocent child and the victims' families' plea for severe punishment." However, the court did not impose the death penalty, stating, "Although the crime cannot be justified, the defendant's crime and mental state cannot be equally evaluated as a crime committed in a sound mental condition."

Myung Jae-wan was indicted on charges of stabbing and killing Kim (8), who was returning home after care class at an elementary school in Daejeon around 5 p.m. on February 10, after luring her to the audiovisual room by saying he would give her a book. It was revealed that he showed abnormal behavior such as damaging the school work computer and assaulting a colleague teacher 4 to 5 days before the crime.

The court mentioned that Myung Jae-wan's crime was "an unprecedented incident that occurred in a school, the safest and most protected place," emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the brutality of the method. It also explained, "The defendant was afraid that his family would leave him and expressed anxiety and anger through physical attacks on others."

In his final statement, Myung Jae-wan apologized to the bereaved family, saying, "An absurd incident occurred at a school that should have been the safest, committed by a teacher." He stated, "I have been receiving psychiatric treatment, and my judgment was impaired due to a pathological condition. I will reflect on my mistakes while I am alive."

The bereaved family expressed dissatisfaction with the first trial verdict and announced plans to appeal. The family's lawyer said, "Considering Haneul's injustice and the brutality of the crime, the life sentence is regrettable," adding, "Life imprisonment allows for parole after 20 years."

After the incident, the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education held a disciplinary committee for Myung Jae-wan and decided to dismiss him. Myung Jae-wan did not take any separate objection procedures, so the dismissal was finalized. This case sparked social controversy over child protection and the safety of the educational environment.