South Korea's National Assembly speaker has called on the Japanese government to consider DNA testing of remains found at the site of a 1942 coal mine disaster in western Japan. The accident during World War Two killed 183 people, of whom 136 were from the Korean Peninsula.
The flooding of tunnels led to the accident at the Chosei undersea coal mine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
A diving survey conducted by a civic group in August found remains believed to be those of the victims. Relatives of the people involved in the accident and others want a swift identification of the remains, and DNA testing.
On Monday, South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Japan's ambassador in Seoul, Mizushima Koichi.
Woo said it is necessary to face up to the painful history between the countries in order to boost economic cooperation and to develop the bilateral relationship in a future-oriented manner as partners for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
Woo also requested Japan to positively consider government-level support to deal with the remains, including using DNA testing to try and identify individuals.
He said he hopes to visit Japan and meet with the Upper House president and Lower House speaker to promote exchanges between the two countries' parliaments.
Ambassador Mizushima indicated that the Japanese side will make arrangements for Woo's visit, saying the two countries' lawmakers have supported the ties in both good and bad times.

Quiz 1:
In which prefecture did the Chosei undersea coal mine disaster occur?
A. Tokyo
B. Yamaguchi
C. Hokkaido
D. Okinawa

Quiz 2:
How many people died in the Chosei undersea coal mine disaster during World War Two?
A. 100
B. 183
C. 250
D. 300

Quiz 3:
Which of the following is NOT a request made by South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik regarding the remains found at the Chosei undersea coal mine site?
A. DNA testing to identify individuals
B. To ignore the painful history between the countries
C. To halt economic cooperation between the two nations
D. To postpone a visit to Japan and meet with parliament leaders