Search turns up no items with 'definite' link

Police staff have completed the search of the bush area near the 4 Mile Bridge, south of Charleston, but have not found any items that can be definitely linked to the disappearance of Jae KIM.

The specialist search staff have now returned to Christchurch.

The Korean consul, Superintendent Park, also left Westport this afternoon to return to Auckland.

5 staff would remain in Westport next week to continue enquiries in the area.

No further communication has been made by the author of the anonymous letter received yesterday, but Inquiry Head, Detective Inspector John Winter was hopeful that contact would be made next week.

The contents of the letter required clarification but had the potential to materially assist the inquiry.

Despite the lack of success with the search, Mr Winter said further searches of that area, or others, would be considered if further information came to hand.

It was increasingly likely that information relevant to the disappearance of Mr KIM was known to a small group of people in the Westport area and it was less likely that he met his death by accident or natural causes.

Detective Inspector Winter said police were committed to the task at hand but they still required the assistance of the local community.

Those in possession of relevant information, either in 2003 or since that time, were urged to contact the inquiry team at the Westport station.