Student Stabs Four in Shocking South Korean High School Attack

 A 17-year-old student stabbed at least four people, including three classmates and a teacher, in a violent attack at a high school in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, on Monday, April 28, 2025, sending shockwaves through the nation. 

The incident, reported by Yonhap News and The Korea Herald, occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time at the school’s cafeteria, where the suspect, identified only as a male senior, used a kitchen knife to attack his victims before being subdued by school staff and arrested by police.

According to Ansan police, the attack left one 17-year-old male student in critical condition with severe abdominal wounds, while two other students, both 17, and a 45-year-old female teacher sustained moderate injuries, including cuts to their arms and torso. 

All victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where the critically injured student underwent emergency surgery. The suspect, who was unharmed, is in custody and faces charges of attempted murder and assault. Police recovered the knife, believed to have been taken from the school’s kitchen, and are investigating the motive, which early reports suggest may be linked to personal grievances.

The suspect reportedly told police he “felt bullied” by some classmates, though authorities have not confirmed this as the primary cause, pending further interviews and a psychological evaluation. The school, which has not been named to protect student privacy, was evacuated, and classes were suspended indefinitely. Gyeonggi Provincial Education Superintendent Lee Hyo-jae announced counseling services for students and staff, emphasizing the need to address mental health in schools. “This is a tragic incident that highlights the urgency of ensuring safe learning environments,” Lee said in a televised statement.

South Korea’s Education Ministry responded by ordering a nationwide review of school safety protocols, including stricter controls on kitchen equipment and enhanced security measures. The attack has reignited debates over youth violence, a rare but growing concern in South Korea, where high academic pressure and social dynamics can exacerbate tensions. In 2023, a similar incident in Daejeon saw a student injure two peers, prompting calls for better conflict resolution programs. Ansan Mayor Lee Min-geun visited the victims’ families, pledging support and urging calm as investigations continue.

The incident has drawn comparisons to a 2024 stabbing in Seoul, though police stressed that this case appears isolated, with no evidence of gang involvement or external influence. The suspect’s parents, who were questioned, expressed shock, claiming no prior signs of violent behavior. South Korea’s low crime rate, particularly in schools, makes such attacks highly unusual, with only 12 reported stabbings in educational settings since 2015, per government data. The nation now grapples with how to prevent future tragedies while supporting the affected community.