Teen Who Went on Stabbing Rampage Gets Heavy Sentence Recommendation

Prosecutors Seek Heavy Sentence for High Schooler in School Stabbing Spree

On October 28, 2025, the Cheongju District Prosecutor's Office requested a severe sentence, close to the maximum penalty, for A(17), who is charged with attempted murder, during the final hearing held in the 22nd Criminal Division of the Cheongju District Court. The prosecution asked the court to sentence A to a prison term of 8 years (long-term) and 6 years (short-term), emphasizing the seriousness of the crime. In addition, the prosecution requested a 10-year electronic monitoring order and a 3-year probation order for A, arguing that continuous monitoring of A is necessary even after he returns to society. The prosecution emphasized that A's crime was planned and cruel, causing great anxiety throughout society, and stated that strict punishment should be imposed to prevent the recurrence of similar crimes. In particular, the prosecution pointed out that A prepared the weapon in advance and searched for targets, indicating that the crime was meticulously planned. They argued that this was not a simple, impulsive act, but a clear challenge to society. Furthermore, they emphasized that A's crime caused extreme mental distress not only to the victims but also to the entire school community, leaving deep scars on the entire region. The prosecution requested the court to impose a severe punishment on A, taking all of these points into consideration. A's lawyer argued in his final plea that A's crime stemmed from severe mental distress. The lawyer explained that the frustration and anger that A had accumulated for a long time were expressed in an extreme form, and earnestly appealed to the court to grant A an opportunity for treatment. The lawyer emphasized that A is currently deeply remorseful for his wrongdoings and sincerely repenting, arguing that A should be given a chance to return to society. In addition, the lawyer requested the court to give A the most lenient sentence possible, considering that A has a history of receiving psychiatric treatment and was in a state of mental weakness at the time of the crime. The lawyer emphasized that although A committed a terrible crime, he is still young and has the potential for rehabilitation, requesting the court to give A another chance. In particular, the lawyer emphasized that A has been suffering from deep guilt since the crime and sincerely apologizes to the victims, appealing to the court to help A return to society in a healthy manner through psychiatric treatment and counseling. During the trial, A admitted his wrongdoing and repeatedly apologized to the victims in his final statement. A said in a trembling voice, "I am sorry. I am really sorry to the victims," expressing deep regret for his actions. A said that his heart ached when he thought about the suffering that the victims and their families must have endured because of his crime, and asked for forgiveness. He also apologized for causing a great disturbance to society and vowed not to repeat such mistakes in the future. A showed remorse for his wrongdoings in court, shedding tears, but the prosecution emphasized that A's crime was too terrible and had a significant impact on society, requesting the court to impose a severe punishment on A, despite A's sincere apology. The court will issue a ruling after comprehensively considering A's final statement, the defense lawyer's plea, and the prosecution's request for sentencing. The court adopted the results of a psychiatric evaluation as evidence to make an accurate judgment on A. The psychiatric evaluation results are expected to play an important role in understanding A's motives and mental state at the time of the crime. The court will carefully review, based on the psychiatric evaluation results, whether A was in a state of mental weakness at the time of the crime or had normal judgment abilities. In addition, the court plans to predict A's likelihood of re-offending through the psychiatric evaluation results and determine whether it is possible to provide A with appropriate treatment and correctional programs. The court stated that it would listen to the opinions of psychiatric evaluation experts and make efforts to make the most appropriate judgment for A, taking into account A's past medical history and upbringing. In particular, the court will closely analyze the impact of A's mental health on A's crime and carefully consider whether combining psychiatric treatment with A's sentence will help him return to society. The court stated that it will do its best to realize social justice through the ruling on A and contribute to preventing the recurrence of similar crimes. A committed a horrific crime at his high school in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City, at around 8:30 a.m. on April 28, 2025. During the school's morning arrival time, A brandished a weapon at four faculty members, including the principal and vice principal, causing serious injuries. A's sudden stabbing spree quickly turned the school into chaos, and students and faculty were gripped by extreme fear. After committing the crime inside the school, A fled outside the school and indiscriminately attacked citizens. A committed a random act of violence, attacking or assaulting two citizens passing by the school with a weapon. A's crime took place in the heart of the city during rush hour, and many citizens witnessed A's stabbing spree and were shocked. A's crime caused great confusion in the school and the local community, and citizens could not hide their anxiety. Police immediately began tracking A, and A attempted suicide by jumping into a nearby reservoir immediately after the crime. A jumped into a nearby reservoir immediately after the crime, but was fortunately rescued by firefighters and survived. It is known that A left a suicide note regretting his crime before jumping into the reservoir. The fire department rescued A and immediately transported him to the hospital for treatment. Police guarded A while he was receiving treatment to prevent him from escaping. It was reported that A felt regret and self-blame for his crime while receiving treatment in the hospital. According to police investigations, A planned the crime because he felt resentful that a friend was ignoring him. A prepared the weapon in his bag and went to school the day before the crime, and after arriving at school, he brandished the weapon and attacked faculty and citizens. Police arrested A on charges of attempted murder and are intensively investigating A's motives and circumstances surrounding the crime. A's crime shocked society and once again highlighted the seriousness of school violence and juvenile crime. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep concern about the incident and instructed the government to make every effort to prepare measures to prevent school violence and eradicate juvenile crime.