(2nd LD) Remains believed to be those of missing girl found

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SEOUL, June 24 (Yonhap) -- Human remains believed to be those of a girl who went missing eight days ago were found on a mountain in her hometown Sunday, police said.

Gangjin Police Station said its rescue dog found the body in a wooded area on Sunday afternoon, near where her last mobile phone signal was detected. Her clothes were pulled off, it added.

Some 850 officers were dispatched to search for the missing teenager.

The 16-year-old girl in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, disappeared on June 16 after sending a message to friends saying that she met with a friend of her father, surnamed Kim, to get a part-time job.

Kim fled when her mother visited his home to ask about her whereabouts that day and was found dead near his home the following morning. He is believed to have hung himself.

The body was found hundreds of meters from a vehicle owned by the suspect.

The police said the body is strongly believed to be the girl considering her height and added that they are carrying out an investigation to identify the remains. It also plans to conduct an autopsy to find the cause of death.

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