Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho said on the 28th regarding the violent incident involving a weapon that occurred at a high school in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, "I feel very sorry that a serious incident occurred at a school that should be safe."
On the same day, the Vice Prime Minister stated in a text notice distributed to reporters, "I offer deep condolences to all those affected, including staff and citizens on-site, and wish for a swift recovery."
The Vice Prime Minister noted, "The police and the Chungcheongbuk-do Office of Education are currently assessing the facts accurately," and added, "The Ministry of Education plans to start discussions on diagnosing the causes of this incident and response measures in collaboration with teachers and experts on-site."
He continued, "The Ministry of Education and the education sector are aware of the seriousness of this matter and will continue to work together to ensure that all members of the educational community can learn and work in a safer environment."
According to police and education authorities, around 8:41 a.m. on the same day, seven people were injured by a weapon wielded by a 2nd-year student, A, at a high school in Cheongju.
The injured include student A, the school principal, an environmental worker, and an Assistant Deputy Director of the administrative office. It is reported that after committing the crime on school grounds, A also wielded the weapon at citizens outside the school. He later jumped into a nearby park reservoir but was rescued.