A STUDENT whose body was found in a suitcase in North Yorkshire lived in the same London house as another Korean girl who has gone missing, detectives have revealed.

The remains of Hyo Jung Jin, 21, a student of French at the University of Lyon, were found dumped in a hedgerow near Askham Richard, near York, seven weeks ago.

Now Scotland Yard are trying to trace In Hae Song, 22, who stayed at the same house in Augusta Street, Poplar, as Miss Jin.

Miss Jin's body was discovered by a passer-by, bound and gagged in a suitcase on November 19. She had been due to visit London last October.

Her housemate Miss Song was reported missing a month later, and although police say there is no evidence so far to link the cases, one fear is they could be the victims of a serial killer.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Lynch said concerns were first raised after Hyo Jung Jin failed to return to university in late October.

Fellow students informed her family in the Far East and they in turn contacted the Korean Embassy in Paris.

At the same time, her concerned brother posted details about her on a website and appealed for information.

The entry was spotted by a South Korean police officer studying at Leeds University. He contacted the Korean community in London, and detectives were warned of a possible link to the suitcase body.

All citizens of South Korea are required to have their fingerprints and photograph registered with the authorities when they turn 18, and these were passed to North Yorkshire Police by the Korean Embassy on January 2.

In Hea Song, 22, who is studying at Guildhall University, was reported missing by a friend on Tuesday.

Scotland Yard said: ''Although there is no evidence to link the two incidents at this stage, we are keeping an open mind."