A MAN accused of murdering a Korean student, whose body was found in a suitcase dumped near York, appeared in court in London today.

Kyu Soo Kim, aged 30, a student of Eagle Street, Holborn, London, was remanded in custody when he appeared before Thames magistrates charged with killing Hyo Jung Jin.

Miss Jin's partially-clothed and decomposed body was found, bound and gagged and stuffed in a suitcase, in a country lane at Askham Richard on November 18 last year.

Tests revealed that the 21-year-old woman had died from suffocation.

Kim spoke through an interpreter to give his name and address to the court.

A application for bail from his solicitor, Andrew Palazza, was rejected, and Kim was remanded in custody to appear at The Old Bailey on January 28.

Updated: 16:26 Monday, January 21, 2002