Lawyer: Korean triple murder suspect agrees to extradition

A man wanted in connection with murders of three of his family members in South Korea has agreed to be extradited, his lawyer has confirmed.

Sungkwan Kim, 33, appeared at the North Shore District Court today where his name suppression was lifted.

A provisional arrest warrant was granted by Judge Nevin Dawson for police here to arrest Kim on behalf of Korean authorities.

Crown Law applied for the warrant after receiving a formal request from South Korea in relation to the murders.

Crown Prosecutor Scott McColgan confirmed the arrest was related to the matters in Korea.

He is wanted in Korea in relation to the murder of his mother, stepfather and 14-year-old half brother on October 21, Korean media reported.

South Korean police said the bodies of the man's mother and son were found with stab wounds in an apartment, and the stepfather's body was found in the boot of a car.

The arrest is the first step to allowing authorities to look at an extradition.

Joon Yi, who is acting for Kim, told the Herald that his client will not oppose an extradition.

Discussions had started with the authorities to get the process under way, Yi said.

"It is all just a matter of paperwork now," Yi said.

"He is due to reappear on December 1, but if the extradition can be organised earlier, then he will be gone."

Prosecutor Emma Hopkin said in court that Kim met all the criteria for extradition.

The charges he faced in Korea were of the "utmost seriousness", she said, and Kim had also shown a willingness to travel.

"There must be some concern for public safety," Hopkin said.

Kim was arrested in Auckland on Sunday evening in a building while his wife was in a car.