[KoreaCase] The "Frog Boys" Case
On March 26, 1991, five elementary school students living in the Seongseo area of Daegu (currently Daegu Metropolitan City), went missing after climbing Waryong Mountain to collect salamander eggs. Eleven and a half years later, on September 26, 2002, their skeletal remains were discovered. Due to a media error, the salamander eggs were initially reported as frog eggs, leading the children to be widely known as the "Frog Boys."
The case, which failed to identify the victims or the perpetrator for years, gained national attention but was buried due to a combination of the era's issues and misdirected investigations. This incident, along with the Hwaseong Serial Murders and the Lee Hyun-ho Kidnapping and Murder case, is considered one of South Korea's three most infamous unsolved cases.
While the Hwaseong Serial Murders eventually led to a breakthrough with DNA evidence, and the Lee Hyun-ho case had clear motives and suspects, the "Frog Boys" case remained a complete mystery. The murder of five children in a known local mountain, the failure to uncover any leads despite extensive searches, and the unclear motive all contributed to the bizarre nature of the case. It was a case where every detail raised questions, from the location in a well-known area to the lack of traces or suspects.
The case was initially misreported as the disappearance of the children while collecting frog eggs. However, it later turned out that they were likely collecting salamander eggs. This misreporting led to the name "Frog Boys" being used in the media, despite the actual target being salamander eggs.
The victims were:
- Woo Cheol-won (1979), 6th grade
- Jo Ho-yeon (1980), 5th grade
- Kim Yeong-gyu (1981), 4th grade
- Park Chan-in (1982), 3rd grade
- Kim Jong-sik (1983), 3rd grade
On March 26, 1991, the day of the local elections, the five boys went out to play near Jo Ho-yeon's house. They decided to climb Waryong Mountain with cans and sticks to gather salamander eggs. Initially, one child, Kim Tae-ryong, stayed behind, avoiding the trip. After seeing his friends, Jo Ho-yeon’s older brother confirmed the last sighting of the boys.
Throughout the day, witnesses reported seeing the children in various locations near the mountain. Around noon, a boy heard two sharp, desperate screams from the mountain, which later became a crucial piece of evidence in the case.
By the evening, parents began searching for the children, but by 7:50 PM, the police were notified, launching a formal search. The following days were filled with unsuccessful searches and misdirected efforts, leading the investigation astray.
The investigation was initially misguided by reports of possible family issues or runaway scenarios, but these theories were ruled out after considering the children's age and family backgrounds. In subsequent months, a nationwide search was launched, but no concrete evidence or leads were found.
Despite widespread attention, various false leads emerged, including reports of the children being involved in organized crime or sightings in distant cities. False claims and widespread misinformation only complicated the case further. The families, desperate for answers, tirelessly distributed flyers and sought help from the public and businesses.
The case gained considerable media coverage, including TV programs and public campaigns. Various companies contributed to the search by distributing flyers and raising awareness through advertisements.
In the end, the case remained unsolved, and by the mid-1990s, police reduced efforts, shifting the case to a minor status. After more than a decade, in September 2002, the remains of the children were discovered by a civilian in Waryong Mountain. However, the police once again mishandled the investigation, failing to secure the crime scene and conducting a rushed investigation.
Forensic analysis later suggested that the children had been murdered, but the exact cause of death and the identity of the murderer remained unknown. Despite efforts to investigate the crime, the case ultimately passed its statute of limitations, and the families' hopes for justice were dashed.
In 2006, the statute of limitations expired, officially ending any potential for prosecution. To this day, the case remains unsolved, and without any concrete leads, it is unlikely that the perpetrator will ever be brought to justice.
