Japanese Government Says DNA Analysis Fails to Identify Remains from Chosei Coal Mine

The Japanese government announced that joint DNA testing by South Korea and Japan failed to identify the remains recovered from the Chosei Coal Mine site, where 136 Korean laborers and others died in a 1942 flooding accident.

According to Kyodo News, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today (October 23) that both the South Korean and Japanese governments conducted respective DNA analyses to identify the remains recovered from the Chosei Coal Mine flooding site, but failed to make an identification.

The remains in question are believed to belong to two males, recovered in August of last year and February of this year, respectively.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated during a regular press conference today, "If new remains or similar items are discovered in the future, we will communicate once again with relevant ministries and the South Korean government regarding what kind of cooperation is possible."

He added, "Based on the foundation of South Korea-Japan relations built since the normalization of diplomatic ties with the South Korean government, we intend to develop relations in a future-oriented and stable manner," and "We hope to cooperate closely, including on this matter."

The Chosei Coal Mine is an undersea coal mine located in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. In 1942, a flooding accident occurred, claiming the lives of 183 people, including 136 Korean workers who were working inside the mine.

During the South Korea-Japan summit held in January of this year, the two countries agreed to cooperate in identifying the remains through DNA testing.

In August of last year, during a recovery effort spearheaded by Japanese civic groups, civilian divers discovered remains and skulls believed to belong to victims inside the undersea tunnel, and additional remains were recovered in February of this year.

Recovery operations have been halted following an accident in February in which a Taiwanese diver participating in the recovery work died.

The Japanese civic group "Association to Engrave the Chosei Coal Mine Flooding Accident in History" is urging the Japanese government to take a more proactive approach to recovering remains.

Inouye Yoko, the head of the association, commented on the failure to identify the remains, saying, "It is regrettable for the bereaved families as well, and it is the worst possible outcome."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.