Police Struggle to Trace 35 Tons of Recyclables as Rumors Spread Over Human Remains Found in Incheon

The investigation into the discovery of what is believed to be human remains at a recycling center in Incheon is facing significant challenges.

Police have begun a full-scale investigation into 35 tons of recyclable materials by tracing their entry routes, but no clear leads have been found yet.

On June 10, when the object, suspected to be a human leg, was discovered at the recycling center, a massive amount of recyclable waste was brought in across 34 separate deliveries from the Yeonsu-gu and Jung-gu areas of Incheon.

Due to this, it is difficult to identify the vehicle used for disposal or any suspects.

The police have expanded the investigation team to 60 officers and are currently analyzing dashcam footage from the eight companies that transported recyclables to the center on that day.

They are also focusing their investigative efforts on identifying the source of the bandage wrapped around the remains.

Earlier, at approximately 2:30 p.m. on June 10, a body part—ranging from below the knee to the heel—was found on a sorting conveyor belt at a resource recovery center in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, wrapped in a blood-stained bandage.

The discovered leg is 41 cm long, and the foot size is approximately 210 mm. According to the preliminary verbal findings from the National Forensic Service, it is currently impossible to determine the gender or age of the individual.

Given the physical measurements, police believe the victim is likely a young student or a woman. They are cross-referencing the remains with lists of long-term absentees in the Incheon area and missing persons' DNA, but no significant clues have emerged yet.

As the police investigation struggles to find a breakthrough, confusion is mounting online due to the spread of rumors claiming that "a female employee at a certain supermarket murdered a child in a villa in Seoul and abandoned the body."

The posts, which include not only the alleged perpetrator's personal information but also the specific name of the child victim, are spreading rapidly.

However, as the gender and age of the victim have not yet been determined, the police plan to focus on identifying the victim based on the final results of the National Forensic Service's detailed examination, which are expected to be released in two to three weeks.

Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Ryu Ji-soo | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.