On March 26, 1991 five children from the town of Dalseo in Daegu, South Korea, left their homes on what seemed like a harmless little adventure. They told their families they were going to fetch salamander eggs near Mount Waryong, a popular hillside area just outside their neighborhood. What began as an innocent trip turned into one of South Korea’s most haunting mysteries—the Frog Boys case.
The boys, aged between 9 and 13, never returned home. As night fell, panic spread across the community. Parents searched frantically, and soon hundreds of police officers, soldiers, and volunteers joined in the effort. Despite massive searches, no sign of the children was found. The case quickly captured national attention, with media coverage and heartbreaking pleas from the families.
For years, the disappearance of the five children baffled investigators. Rumors swirled—some believed they had been kidnapped, others suggested they had run away, while darker theories pointed to foul play. The story became a source of fear and sorrow for an entire nation, with parents warning their children about the dangers of wandering too far from home.
It wasn’t until September 2002, over a decade later, that hikers accidentally discovered the remains of the boys near Mount Waryong. Their skeletons were found buried together, along with clothing and personal items. Evidence suggested they had suffered violent injuries, yet the exact cause of death remains disputed even today.
The tragedy of the Frog Boys remains one of South Korea’s most chilling unsolved cases. What started as a simple search for salamander eggs ended in national heartbreak, leaving behind painful questions that may never be answered.
