South Korea: Student goes on stabbing spree in Cheongju school, 6 hurt

The incident occurred at around 8.40 am when the attacker began stabbing the students inside a classroom.

The victims were taken to hospitals with minor to serious injuries to the face, abdomen and other areas, and are being treated there. None of them is in critical condition, officials told Yonhap news agency.

Police are trying to find the exact circumstances that led to the attack.

An official at the provincial education office told Yonhap news agency that the school has convened an emergency faculty meeting to discuss the incident and his possible motive.

Attacker Nabbed

According to local media reports, the attacker jumped into a nearby lake to avoid being caught.

He was reportedly nabbed and taken to the hospital.

Police are also questioning school officials and witnesses to determine the circumstances of the incident.

The attacker is a second-year student.

According to the Chungbuk Fire Department, the school principal, an administrative officer, and a facility worker sustained stab wounds to the chest, abdomen and back, The Korea Herald.

Daejeon Fatal Stabbing

The incident occurred just two months after a teacher fatally stabbed a student at an elementary school in the country.

The incident occurred in the central city of Daejeon.

The female teacher was found with self-inflicted injuries to her neck and hands.

Authorities had said she had mental health issues and had previously taken medical leave since she suffered from depression, media reports said.

The incident had left the country shocked and even raised questions about the security of students in schools.

South Korea is a generally safe country with strict gun control laws. But in recent years, it has grappled with several high-profile crimes, including stabbings, BBC reported in February.