Moss found in skulls of 2 'frog boys'

DAEGU -- The police on Tuesday found traces of moss in the skulls of two of the five "frog boys," whose remains were found Sept. 26 in the foothills of Mount Waryong. Police said the new evidence adds credence to the theory that the boys were murdered.

Police forensics specialists said the trace of moss indicates that the bodies were buried and later exposed to the air by natural conditions, like a heavy rain.

Investigators also found traces of a campfire, including two small pieces of charcoal, near the site where the skeletal remains were exhumed. The National Institute of Scientific Investigation is checking whether the charcoal is from wood found around Mount Waryong.

The families of the boys, who were last seen in March 1991 on their way to catch frogs near the mountain, said they would cremate the remains as soon as the police figure out the cause of death.

Kim Hyeon-do, 56, father of Yeong-gyu, who was 11 when he went missing, said, "We think it is wise for us to cremate the remains to comfort the boys' souls. The other families have agreed."

Park Geon-seo, 48, whose son Chan-in was 10 when he disappeared, visited the site where the remains were found to comfort his son's soul after being released from jail on bail. Mr. Park was arrested Sept. 14 and charged with assaulting a police officer. The Daegu District Persecutor's Office said Mr. Park was allowed to go free on bail out of sympathy for his situation and because the charge was not too serious.

by Hwang Sun-yoon