Police investigate tourists disapperance

Acting upon information received, Police engaged on the enquiry into missing Korean tourist Jae Hyeon KIM have this afternoon occupied an area of bush in the vicinity of the 4 Mile Bridge, some 5.5 kilometres south of the village of Charleston and adjacent to State Highway 6.

Detective Inspector John Winter, Crime Services Manager for the Tasman Police District, said information had been received by the enquiry team in Westport that items connected with Mr KIM could be found in that area. He would not elaborate on the information, but said it was being treated as genuine.

A forward HQ had been set up at the site and staff drawn from Tasman and Canterbury District would be involved in the search. It was anticipated that a search of the area would take from 5-7 days.

The Korean Consulate had been advised of the situation, and enquiry staff had been in contact with the KIM family in Korea.

Detective Inspector Winter said it was too early to say what direction the enquiry was taking and that he retained an open mind on what had happened to Mr KIM. The results of the search near the 4 Mile Bridge might well dictate what happened next.

Enquiries continued in the Westport community, and with WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) locations in the Westport/Charleston area. Police reported significant interest in the enquiry.