QUEENS, NY – A 43-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing a 22-year-old inside a Flushing apartment more than two decades ago has been extradited from South Korea and arraigned on murder and related charges, prosecutors announced.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Ho “Alex” Shin was returned to New York this week after being arrested by South Korean authorities in December 2025. Prosecutors allege Shin fled the United States shortly after the January 6, 2002 attack and remained overseas for years.
Shin was arraigned on an indictment charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. He was remanded without bail by Supreme Court Justice Jessica Earle-Gargan and ordered to return to court Tuesday. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years to life in prison.
According to the indictment and investigation, the violence unfolded around 4:30 a.m. inside a Flushing apartment after the victims and the defendant returned there following a night out. Prosecutors allege Shin briefly left the apartment and contacted a co-defendant, who was 16 at the time, instructing him to bring two knives.
24-year case leads to international arrest
Authorities allege Shin and the co-defendant then re-entered the apartment and repeatedly stabbed Hyun Dae Kim over what prosecutors described as a perceived instance of disrespect earlier in the night. Kim died from his injuries. A second victim, Hyun Suk Yu, was also stabbed when he attempted to intervene but survived.
District Attorney Katz credited collaboration with federal and international partners, including South Korean authorities, for locating and returning the defendant to Queens to face prosecution.
• Defendant accused in January 6, 2002 fatal stabbing in Flushing
• Arrested in South Korea in December 2025 and extradited this week
• Faces up to 50 years to life if convicted
The case is being handled by the Queens District Attorney’s Office Homicide Bureau and Extraditions Unit.