A 28-year-old Nelson fisherman has appeared in court charged with the murder of Korean tourist Jae Hyeon Kim.

Shannon Brent Flewellen was remanded in custody when he appeared before Judge Tony Zohrab in the Nelson District Court this afternoon.

No application was made for bail, and no plea was entered.

Flewellen was jointly charged with another man, who did not appear.

Court documents allege the pair murdered Mr Kim between September 29, 2003 and October 22, 2003.

Flewellen was remanded to reappear in the Westport District Court on Thursday.

Nelson CIB reopened the investigation into the disappearance of Mr Kim last month.

Tasman police crime services manager Detective Inspector John Winter said the inquiry had involved 10 staff and co-ordinated police work across the country.

Mr Kim's body has not yet been found, despite an extensive search of the Charleston area.

Police planned to hold a media conference about the arrests at 5pm tonight at the Westport police station.