By Kim Rahn

Police Monday investigated an instructor at a rural boarding facility who bit a hamster to death and swallowed it in front of children.

The instructor, surnamed Yu, 44, said he did so because he was "afraid of rats."

The incident happened on May 11 at a boarding facility in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province.

After finding out that some children were teasing hamsters, Yu bit one to death and swallowed it to teach them "how dear life is," according to police.

Seven children saw him eat the animal.

Yu also used abusive language in front of the children.

He left the facility when other teachers protested. Parents have filed a complaint with police, alleging child abuse.

Yu told Yonhap News Agency by phone that he had feared rats after being bitten while at elementary school.

"I couldn't control the situation and couldn't stand it," he was quoted as saying.

He said he wanted to teach the children how precious life was.

"While watching the hamsters die from teasing, I thought I should teach the children it was wrong to make light of life," he said.

He apologized to the children, parents and other instructors, saying he would not have killed the hamster if he had known it would be considered a form of child abuse.

Yu appeared at Jeongeup Police Station and admitted his act. Police booked him without physical detention for child abuse.

Meanwhile, some parents have claimed other teachers tried to cover up the incident and told the children not to tell anybody outside of the facility.

Korean Language

경찰, 햄스터 삼킨 지도사 입건…"혐의 모두 인정"

초등생과 미취학 아동들 앞에서 햄스터를 깨물어 죽인 뒤 삼킨 전북 정읍의 한 산촌유학센터 생활지도사가 경찰에 출석해 피의자 조사를 받았다.



18일 전북 정읍경찰서에 따르면 생활지도사 A(44)씨는 이날 오전 9시40분께 경찰에 출석, 아동학대 혐의 등으로 2시간가량 조사를 받았다.



A씨는 피해자가 진술한 내용에 대해서 모두 혐의를 인정했다.



A씨는 경찰에서 '쥐에 대한 트라우마가 있는데 사건 당일날 아이들 방에서 햄스터에 발가락을 물렸다'며 '순간 극도로 화가 나 충동적으로 햄스터를 물어 죽이고 삼켰다'고 진술했다.



경찰은 A씨를 아동학대 혐의로 불구속 입건했다. (연합뉴스)