South Korea’s search team investigation of the Sewol ferry has been successful in identifying the remains of the missing nine bodies from the sinking of Sewol ferry.   

Last week, a female high school student named Cho Eun-hwa was found on the fourth deck close to the stern of the ship. 

She was identified through reviews of the discovered teeth. 

Most recently, 34-centimetre shinbone remain from this week’s operation have also been put through a DNA test. 

“We received the DNA test result from the National Forensic Services this afternoon (Wednesday), earlier than expected,” ministry official in charge of the search operation, Lee Cheol-jo said. 

The bones were found during an underwater search of the wreckage site near Jindo, on the seabed. 

“The result of a DNA test on a bone piece identified it as Danwon high school teacher Ko Chang-seok,” the maritime ministry said.  

This most recent finding made up for one of the nine victims unaccounted for the 2014 disaster. 

After Cho and Ko, there are still seven more victims to be identified, including three students and one teacher. 

In addition, according to the team, another female student may be near where Cho’s remains were found.

DNA results from four bone fragments from the ship’s interior is still being awaited. 

This operation of identification began last month on 18 April, as it followed the difficult salvage operation.

The hull of the ship was raised from the bottom of the sea in March and was transferred to the port in Mokpo.