Missing person enquiry - Jae Hyeon Kim

The search of the area of bush near the 4 Mile Bridge, south of Charleston, entered its third day today with police bringing in a digger to assist with clearing of bush and scrub at the site in order to make searching the ground easier.

A water pump was also being used to assist in draining areas that were waterlogged.

Inquiry head, Detective Inspector John Winter said search staff located two German passports in the scrub yesterday afternoon, but enquiries today with the German Embassy revealed that the holders of those passports departed this country in 2001 on temporary passports. It is likely that the documents located had been stolen in a theft from a vehicle and then discarded in the bush.

A member of the Korean Consulate in Auckland flew into Westport this morning for talks with police.

Superintendent Woo Hyun Park met with Detective Inspector Winter and was taken to the scene to meet staff engaged in the search. Detective Inspector Winter said there had been close co-operation between NZ Police and the Korean Consulate since Jae KIM was first reported missing in May 2004, and his visit to the area today was to share information gathered and to fulfil his consular role.

Rain had been falling in the area today, and heavy rain was forecast for later today. This might impede progress but police were still committed to an intensive search of the area.

Police had still not identified any locations on the West Coast where KIM had been staying prior to his disappearance. The enquiry team were interested in hearing from anyone who has a recent connection since 2003 with the layby area at the 4 Mile bridge which is the subject of the search. There were beehives in the area, and police were aware that the site was regularly used by roading contractors over the years to park vehicles and to dump shingle and gravel.

Police were interested in any physical changes to the area since 2003, and anyone who can assist is asked to contact the enquiry team at the Westport Police station.