Teacher laughed in ER after killing first-grader Kim Ha-neul, raising questions about motive
The funeral procession for Kim Ha-neul, who was fatally stabbed by her teacher at an elementary school in Seo District, Daejeon, on Jan. 10, takes place at Konyang University Hospital on the morning of Jan. 14. Yonhap
By KTimes
The teacher who fatally stabbed a 7-year-old first grader at an elementary school in Seo District, Daejeon, before attempting to take her own life, reportedly laughed out loud while receiving emergency treatment. Investigators are now considering whether this could provide clues to her motive.
According to sources on Wednesday, the suspect, a 48-year-old teacher, was transported to a university hospital emergency room (ER) in the district at 6:43 p.m. on the day of the crime, Feb. 10.
She had suffered severe bleeding after stabbing herself after stabbing Kim Ha-neul, the first grader at her school.
Medical staff at the hospital’s trauma center provided emergency treatment, including controlling her bleeding and examining her damaged blood vessels. During this, she suddenly laughed out loud, shocking the medical staff.
Given the severity of her injuries — especially the deep wounds on her neck — such a reaction was unexpected, as most patients in critical condition typically express pain rather than laughter.
At the time, hospital staff were unaware that she was involved in a homicide. Only later did they learn that she had killed a young child before attempting suicide.
The unexpected revelation left the medical staff deeply disturbed. In response, the hospital issued an internal directive to keep details of her treatment confidential, restricting access to her medical records to only the attending physician and nurses.
Possible antisocial personality disorder
Psychiatrists and criminal experts suggest that her reaction in the emergency room indicates a potential antisocial personality disorder rather than depression.
Shin Ui-jin, a professor of psychiatry at Yonsei University College of Medicine, dismissed the notion that depression was linked to the killing.
"Depression is simply a disorder that affects mood regulation — it has no connection to this kind of horrific crime," Shin said. "If someone commits a brutal murder and then laughs in the emergency room, it strongly suggests antisocial traits associated with violent and abnormal criminal behavior."
Lee Woong-hyuk, a professor of police studies at Konkuk University and a criminal profiler, also suggested that the teacher's reaction stemmed from personality and temperament issues rather than a psychiatric history.
"The suspect may have experienced a surge of excitement after successfully carrying out her intended act, causing a momentary expression of satisfaction in the form of laughter," Lee said.
He drew a comparison to a similar case last year in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, where a man named Park Dae-seong fatally stabbed a high school girl he had never met. Surveillance footage captured Park smiling as he fled the crime scene, a behavior that Lee believes could be linked to the teacher’s reaction.
Investigators continue to probe her psychological state and motivations as they work to uncover the full details behind the shocking crime.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.