On February 12, a child location-tracking app ranked 7th on the app store’s popularity chart. (Screenshot image of App store)
SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The murder of 8-year-old Kim Ha-neul has sparked widespread concern among parents in South Korea, amplifying fears for child safety ahead of the new school semester.
On February 12, parenting forums and online communities saw a surge in discussions about location-tracking applications, with many parents inquiring about the app reportedly used by Kim’s parents to monitor her whereabouts.
“I had no idea location-tracking apps could also allow access to surrounding sounds,” one parent wrote. “Kim’s father was able to locate her quickly through the app—maybe I should install one too.”
Another parent echoed similar concerns: “If something like this can happen at school, which we consider the safest place, how can we trust anything anymore? I’m downloading the app immediately.”
On the morning of February 11, letters, flowers, snacks, and stuffed animals left by citizens were placed at an elementary school in Seo-gu, Daejeon, where a first-grade girl was murdered. On the afternoon of February 10, at approximately 5:50 PM, an 8-year-old first-grade student, identified as A, was found in cardiac arrest after being stabbed at the school but was later pronounced dead. (Yonhap)
By the morning of February 12, the tracking app associated with Kim’s case had climbed to seventh place in South Korea’s app store rankings.
The tragedy has also reignited debates over mental health screenings for professionals who work with children. Some parents are calling for mandatory psychiatric evaluations for teachers, particularly in private institutions.
Shin Mo, whose five-year-old son is set to enter a private kindergarten in Jongno District, expressed concerns about the lack of oversight. “Public school teachers are national civil servants, but private kindergarten teachers are subject to even fewer regulations. I will discuss with other parents whether proof of mental health history should be required.”
However, the growing calls for stricter background checks have drawn pushback from educators, who see them as an infringement on teachers’ rights.
In an online community exclusive to elementary school teachers, reactions ranged from condemnations of the crime to concerns about privacy violations. Some educators criticized the rising popularity of location-tracking apps, calling them a form of unauthorized surveillance.
Others suggested measures such as requiring students to turn off their phones upon arriving at school to prevent unauthorized monitoring.
As South Korea grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the debate over balancing child safety, privacy, and teacher rights is expected to intensify in 2026 and beyond.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
