Pictures of Korean teacher arrested for stabbing student, 8, to death released by police

South Korean police have disclosed photos and the identity of a teacher who allegedly stabbed an eight-year-old student to death in a school south of Seoul.

Myeong Jae Wan, 48, was arrested after undergoing surgery for self-inflicted wounds, in the wake of the incident on Feb. 10.

Mug shots of Myeong were made public on the website of the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency as of Mar. 12.

They will remain up until Apr. 11.

Police said the decision to disclose Myeong's personal information was made after considering the brutality of her crime, the severity of the damage and the opinions of the victim's family, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Myeong is set to face charges of stabbing to death a first-grade girl, Kim Ha Nuel, in their elementary school in Daejeon, a city south of Seoul, on Feb. 10.

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Lured girl into AV room before choking & stabbing her

Myeong testified that she lured Kim into an audiovisual room by giving her a book, before she choked and stabbed her, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.

According to police, Myeong had no prior connection to the student.

Police later found the child unconscious with stab wounds in the room, next to Myeong.

The eight-year-old subsequently died at the hospital from excessive bleeding.

Myeong was rushed to hospital with a neck injury, and after receiving medical treatment, was placed under arrest.

Was diagnosed with depression at the time

Police said Myeong did not raise any objections to her identity being publicly revealed, The Korea Herald reported.

Police also suspect that Myeong's crime was premeditated, as she was found to have bought the knife beforehand at a supermarket near the school.

Myeong had testified that she bought the knife "to commit suicide".

However, Myeong's claim has been questioned as forensic evidence arose that she had searched online for information on murder and legal weapons three to four days before the crime.

Authorities believe that Myeong was stressed and frustrated from family problems and dissatisfied with work life and herself, and suggested that she targeted the girl as an outlet for her emotions.

Myeong's medical records also indicate she was diagnosed with depression during the time of the offence.

But police, citing medical experts, opined that there is no direct link between Myeong's mental illness and the crime.

Myeong's case has been referred by the police to Korean prosecutors.

Top image from Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency website