Parasite found in small intestine rarely seen in South Korea

[Herald DB]
[Herald DB]

A badly decomposed body discovered last month in waters off Jumundo in Incheon's Ganghwa-gun is believed to be that of a North Korean resident.

The Incheon Coast Guard confirmed Monday that a parasite had been found in the body, which was recovered July 25 in waters near Jumundo off Ganghwado, following an analysis by the National Forensic Service.

A research institution told investigators that the parasite found in the small intestine is rarely detected in South Korea. A search of the missing persons profiling system returned no matching records among domestic missing persons cases.

Based on the parasite findings and the missing persons search results, the coast guard believes the body is most likely that of a North Korean resident.

The body was found around noon on July 25 in waters near Jumundo in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. It was in an advanced state of decomposition, unclothed and without identifiable fingerprints, making identification difficult.

The body measured between 110 and 120 centimeters in height. The National Forensic Service estimated it to be that of a boy around 6 years old.

The coast guard said it found no indication of criminal activity and plans to close the case after completing the necessary procedures.

Meanwhile, bodies and military ordnance believed to have drifted from North Korea have been found with increasing frequency in waters near Jumundo. Between July 23 and Aug. 10, a total of 16 drifting land mines believed to have come from North Korea were discovered along the coastlines of Ganghwa-gun near the truce line, including on Jumundo, Ganghwado, Gyodongdo and Bolleumdo.


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