Remains Found at Yamaguchi Josei Mine 83 Years After Submergence; Park Tae-hwan Expresses Wish to "Find Remaining Remains"

SBS Thursday 10:20 PM broadcast! Jang Hyun Seong-Jang Sung-kyu-Jang Do Yeon

‘The story of the day when the tail was bitten’

The tragedy of ‘Josei Mine’ where 183 people, including Korean youths forcibly mobilized by Imperial Japan, were buried alive

‘Blackened remains’ discovered after 83 years

Park Tae-hwan makes a sincere statement: “I hope the remaining remains are found as soon as possible”!

Kim Jong-seo expresses anger: “The seawater feels like the bloody tears of the deceased”!

Park Tae-hwan, Kim Jong-seo, and Byun Yo-han appear as listeners!

- SBS ‘The story of the day when the tail was bitten’: What is the incredible story behind the ‘blackened remains’ found in the undersea mine after 83 years?

- SBS ‘The story of the day when the tail was bitten’: The unfair tragedy of Korean youths, the full story of the ‘Josei Mine’ submergence disaster

Regarding the ‘Josei Mine submergence incident,’ a painful history of forced labor by Imperial Japan, Park Tae-hwan shares his sincere thoughts, saying, “I hope the remaining remains are found as soon as possible.”

In the episode titled , which airs today (the 10th) on ‘The story of the day when the tail was bitten’ (directed by Ahn Yoon-tae, Lee Keun-byeol, Moon Chi-young, hereinafter ‘Kkokkomu’), former national swimmer and SBS commentator Park Tae-hwan, singer Kim Jong-seo, and actor Byun Yo-han will appear as listeners to share the stories of the victims who lost their lives unfairly, trapped in the undersea mine.

During the Japanese colonial period, numerous Korean youths were dragged to an undersea mine in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, where they were forced to perform hard labor, mining coal for 12 hours a day. Then one day, the undersea mine collapsed, and a total of 183 people were submerged. This is the ‘Josei Mine’ located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

The incident, which was covered up without even the cause of the accident or the number of deaths being properly revealed, began to be known in Korea only after a letter arrived from Japan in 1991. It was a letter seeking the true names of the victims who perished there that day. Who is the person who sent the letter, ‘Yamaguchi Takenobu,’ and why did he send such a letter?

And in August 2025, 83 years after the incident occurred, blackened remains were discovered for the first time in the problematic undersea mine, becoming a major topic of discussion in both Korea and Japan.

In ‘Kkokkomu,’ the truth of that day will be investigated through the testimony of a survivor from the ‘Josei Mine.’ Furthermore, the amazing stories of people who have worked hard for decades—from the moment the mine entrance was closed immediately after the incident to the discovery of the remains sleeping under the sea after 82 years—will be revealed. Regarding this, Park Tae-hwan deeply empathizes with the sorrowful stories of the remains still left in the cold sea, expressing his sincere wish: “I hope the remaining remains are found as soon as possible before it is too late.” Additionally, it is said that Kim Jong-seo expressed his indignation, saying, “The pouring seawater feels like the bloody tears of the deceased.”

The victims of that day, who died without knowing why after suffering from grueling labor, and those who may still be trapped in the collapsed mine under the sea—we will discuss through the main broadcast of ‘Kkokkomu’ what we must do to comfort their souls.

‘Kkokkomu’ is a program where three storytellers study on their own and deliver what they feel to their respective ‘story friends’ in the most everyday spaces, broadcasting every Thursday at 10:20 PM on SBS.

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◆ At a Glance

· Publishing Institution: SBS

· Category: The story of the day when the tail was bitten

· Distribution: September 10, 14:07

Source: SBS Press Release

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