Presidential chief of staff orders countermeasures over killing of student in random attack

SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- The presidential chief of staff on Monday instructed officials to devise countermeasures following the killing of a female high school student in a random attack in the southwestern city of Gwangju last week. The instruction came after a 17-year-old female high school student was fatally stabbed by a 24-year-old stranger around midnight in Gwangju, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul. The attacker also wounded another high school student who rushed to the scene after hearing the victim scream. "This incident should not be treated lightly," vice presidential spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong quoted presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik as saying while presiding over a meeting of senior officials at Cheong Wa Dae. He ordered the provision of "special safety measures" in response, while calling for a thorough police investigation and stronger safety patrols around schools. As the investigation into the suspect continues, the police said they will step up patrols and inspections to prevent a recurrence. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik (L) (Yonhap) pbr@yna.co.kr(END)