High School Student Stabs Vocational School Teacher with a Weapon... Sentenced to Up to 5 Years in Prison

by Park Haesook

Published 01 Sep.2022 15:30(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A high school student who attempted to kill a teacher by stabbing him with a weapon after being woken up during class at a vocational school was sentenced to prison.

The Criminal Division 14 of Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Ryu Kyungjin) sentenced high school student A (18) to a prison term of 5 years minimum to 3 years and 6 months maximum on the 1st in a sentencing trial on charges including attempted murder. Additionally, probation was ordered for 5 years after the completion of the sentence.

According to the Juvenile Act, minors under the age of 19 who commit crimes can be sentenced with an indeterminate sentence that sets upper and lower limits for the term, divided into minimum and maximum terms.

The court stated, "Although the defendant claims there was no intent to kill, he left the classroom, stole a weapon, returned, and considering the method of the crime, anyone could think the victim might die," adding, "It is not unreasonable to recognize intent to kill, even if only implied."

It further explained the sentencing rationale: "Even considering that the crime was committed impulsively due to anger and inability to control impulses, the nature of the crime is quite serious, and given that some victims did not reach a settlement, a prison sentence is inevitable."

In April, A was arrested and indicted on charges of attempting to kill teacher B (47) by stabbing him with a weapon at a vocational school in Namdong-gu, Incheon, and injuring two classmates, including C (18).

It was investigated that A was sleeping during a class related to game content, and when teacher B scolded him, he went to a nearby store, stole a weapon, and returned to the classroom 20 to 30 minutes later to commit the crime.