24 Jun 2008 Tasman
Location of incident: Westport
Incident type: Missing Person Enquiry - Arrest Announced
Missing Persons Inquiry - Jae Hyeon Kim
Tuesday 24 June 08 1330 hours: Arrest Announced Police engaged on the inquiry into missing Korean backpacker Jae Hyeon
KIM have today arrested a man in connection with his murder. Inquiry Head, Detective Inspector John Winter, said that
Operation JERICHO had been launched to achieve a break-in to the wall of silence that confronted police.
That operation had paid dividends and police were now exploiting the initial success. A 28 year old Nelson fisherman
will appear in the Nelson District Court this afternoon, and a 31year old former Westport man is assisting police with
their enquiries. Other persons are still being sought for interview at present, and additional charges may be laid.
Any initial remands would be to the Westport District Court on Thursday 26 June. Detective Inspector Winter said that he
had confirmed the death of Mr Kim to the Korean Consulate, who had advised the family in Pusan. The date of death was
still unclear, but was likely to be between the 29th September and the 22nd October 2003. It was likely that a family
member would travel to New Zealand in due course, but not immediately.
Although the body had not been located, police would not rule out that it may yet be recovered. The initiative for that
now lay with other people, he said. Further searches would be considered, but none were planned at this stage. Operation
JERICHO involved 10 staff and co-ordinated activity in a number of locations around the country. The team in Westport
would remain in place to deal with follow-up enquiries and the court appearances this week. A formal media conference
will be held at the Westport Police Station at 5pm this evening. Please note, I will not take any media calls prior to
that time.
ENDS