Ex-teacher gets jail term for putting detergent in kindergarteners' meals

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By Jun Ji-hye

A former kindergarten teacher has received a four-year jail term for putting detergent and mosquito repellent into the meals of kindergarten students.

The Seoul Southern District Court convicted the 50-year-old on charges of attempted injury to children, Thursday, and arrested her in the court.

The court also ordered 10 years of employment restrictions at related children's institutions.

“She committed the crime against children but she was obliged to protect them. She also continued making excuses that were not understandable,” the court said in its ruling. “The fact that the children were not actually harmed was considered when the sentence was decided.”

According to investigators, the woman put detergent and mosquito repellent in meals prepared for children at a kindergarten in Seoul in November 2020.

During the police investigation, she claimed the fluid she put in the food was just water. But following analysis by the National Forensic Service it was proven to contain detergent and mosquito repellent.

In her first trial, she rejected the accusation against her, saying, “As a teacher and mother, I have never done things that could hurt somebody.”

The prosecution sought a 10-year prison sentence, saying she had not reflected on what she had done and that the victims demanded harsh punishment.