A judge has sent a mother to jail for life - for murdering her children and storing their bodies in an Auckland lock-up

Hakyung Lee drugged eight-year-old Yuna Jo and six-year-old Minu Jo in 2018, hid their remains then left for Korea.

They were found in 2022.

At the High Court at Auckland today, Justice Venning says Lee's actions were methodical and he rejects the argument she was suicidal.

He's ordered she serve life with a minimum 17-year non-parole period.

Lee will be held as a special patient, for mental health treatment.