Parents call for heavy punishment of kindergarten teacher who put insect repellent in children's meals

By Bahk Eun-ji

An online petition has been filed on the Cheong Wa Dae website, calling for harsh punishment of a kindergarten teacher who allegedly put harmful substances in children's meals.

The petitioner, who identified himself as the parent of a child at the kindergarten in Seoul, said the teacher put unidentified liquid and powder in children's meals, water and snacks, and the substances turned out to be mosquito repellent and detergent.

“A total of 17 children were confirmed to have ingested the substances so far, and they are only between five and seven years old,” he wrote.

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According to surveillance footage, the teacher carried a medicine bottle in her apron and sprayed the liquid on the food and drinks, police said.

The police asked the National Forensic Service to analyze the components in the bottles, and the liquid turned out to contain mosquito repellent and detergent, requiring immediate medical treatment for the children.

The petitioner wrote that the footage showed “the teacher looked so calm when she put the liquid and powder in the meals and mixed them using her fingers. She then stretched and made relaxed gestures as if she were in a good mood.”

The petitioner also said the children who ingested the substances suffered health problems.

“The children were simultaneously exhibiting symptoms such as headache, nosebleed, stomachache, vomiting and allergic reaction,” he said.

“One child had a nosebleed that didn't stop for more than 20 minutes. Another child had to lie down with a nosebleed because it was hard for him to sit up, due to a serious headache.”

Despite the CCTV footage, the teacher is denying the crime, and she hired lawyers to file a suit against the cancellation of her dismissal, the writer said.

“I ask the authorities to punish her heavily to prevent people committing such a terrible crime from returning to the kindergarten again,” he said.