Murder victim's body believed found

Jae Hyeon Kim. Photo / Supplied

Police believe they have found the body of murder victim Jae Hyeon Kim.

The announcement was made at a court appearance in Greymouth this morning.

The NZ Herald understands police have been shown the site where Mr Kim is believed to be buried.

Police are awaiting specialist forensic investigators to travel to the remote location to assist with the search for the body.

Detective Inspector John Winter said the police had informed the Korean Consulate who are in contact with the Kim family in Pusan.

Yesterday one of three people charged over Mr Kim's death pleaded guilty to murder at a pre-depositions hearing at the Greymouth District Court.

The man's name is suppressed.

Shannon Brent Flewellen, 29, a Nelson fisherman also appeared yesterday and denied the charges against him. A third man also faces a charge but a blanket suppression order has been put in place which also suppresses the nature of his charge.

Mr Kim went missing five years ago and the case was re-opened in May. Police then received two anonymous letters.

He arrived in New Zealand in February 2003 and was reported missing by his family in May 2004, five months after he was supposed to have returned home. A police investigation at the time found nothing.

- NZHERALD STAFF