KIM enquiry

Police working on the homicide inquiry into the death of Korean tourist Jae Hyeon KIM have arrested a man this afternoon and charged him in connection with the inquiry.

Suppression orders are in place in relation to the identity of the defendant, any details that may identify him, and the nature of the charge. He has been remanded to the Westport District Court on 24 July where he will appear along side the other defendants.

Inquiry Head, Detective Inspector John Winter, said that he would not rule out further arrests as police sought others in an effort to locate the body of Mr KIM.

Although the anonymous letter writers had not yet come forward, Detective Inspector Winter said he was pleased with the level of co-operation the inquiry team was now receiving in the wake of the recent arrests. He encouraged others in possession of relevant information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Winter has now returned to duty in Nelson, and a small team remains in Westport to complete the outstanding enquiries there. Police confirmed no further searches were being planned at present.