A civic group has called on the government to conduct DNA examinations on some human bones recovered recently from a western Japan undersea mine where fatal flooding occurred during the Pacific War, part of World War II.

On Tuesday, the group, which is working to recover the remains of the victims of the accident more than 80 years ago, including those from the Korean Peninsula, asked government agencies to identify the bones through DNA analyses and provide financial assistance for the group¡¯s efforts to collect more remains from the Chosei coal mine in the city of Ube in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

On Feb. 3, 1942, a tunnel about a kilometer from the entrance of the mine, which was opened in 1914 on the coast of Seto Inland Sea, collapsed and was flooded, claiming the lives of 47 Japanese workers and 136 from the Korean Peninsula.

Late last month, the civic group ¡ª which also works to prevent the coal mine accident from being forgotten ¡ª recovered what appeared to be a skull and arm bones from the undersea mine through a survey by divers.

They were confirmed to be human bones through an examination by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Police. But DNA testing has not been conducted.

¡°It¡¯s the government¡¯s duty to identify the remains right here,¡± Yoko Inoue, co-head of the civic group, said as it submitted its requests to the government agencies.

In response, officials from the National Police Agency said it is discussing with Yamaguchi police and relevant government agencies on whether the police will conduct the proposed DNA examinations after confirming whether usable samples exist for identity checks with the discovered bones.

Officials from the Foreign Ministry said it will hold talks with the South Korean government.

Meanwhile, a health ministry official said, ¡°Although human bones have been found, concerns about safety (at the undersea coal mine) have not been wiped out. We are not in a situation to consider financial support or on-site inspections.¡±