A Korean-born tradesman, who spent 12 hours atop a Sydney high-rise unit block while his girlfriend’s body lay in a laneway below, has now been charged with her murder.

June Oh Seo, 37, was arrested earlier this month after a day-long stand-off with NSW Police after he climbed onto a perspex balcony roof at the top of the block in Chatswood.

Seo eventually gave himself up at 7pm on October 9, some 12 hours after the body of his girlfriend, 34-year-old Hee Kyung Choi, was found by a passer-by in the laneway below.

The bank worker’s injuries were consistent with falling from a height, authorities said at the time.

Seo on Friday was charged with murder as his matter was mentioned in Hornsby Local Court before magistrate Daniel Reiss.

He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

The tradesman was previously charged with one count of domestic violence-related assault occasioning actual bodily harm after his girlfriend’s body was discovered. That charge still stands, the court heard on Friday.

Police carried out interviews with up to 90 people before adding the murder charge.

They allege the assault occurred between 4.30am and 4.35am, with the murder taking place between 4.30am and 6.30am when Ms Choi’s body was found.

Mr Reiss on Friday adjourned the matter to December 19 in Central Local Court. Seo is scheduled to appear via video link with the assistance of a Korean interpreter.

—AAP