"Free Toll for Si Woo Kim"... Why Was His Name Displayed on the US-Canada Border Tunnel Billboard?

Headed for Dinner in Detroit, Accidentally Ended Up in Canada
Surrounded by Eight Border Agents After Forgetting Passport
Tunnel Operator: "Free Toll for Si Woo Kim, Remember Your Passport"

A message reading "Free Toll for Si Woo Kim" displayed at the entrance of the toll tunnel connecting the United States and Canada has drawn considerable attention.

A recent electronic billboard at the entrance of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel connecting Detroit, Michigan, USA, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, displays the phrase: "Free Toll for Si Woo Kim." Instagram

According to the Detroit News, CBS Sports, and other reports from the United States on August 3, the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel—which links Detroit, Michigan, USA, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada—recently featured the message "Free Toll for Si Woo Kim" on its entrance electronic billboard. The tunnel operator also posted on social media, "Si Woo Kim, please visit the tunnel once again. This time, remember to bring your passport."

Si Woo Kim, who is set to compete in the PGA Tour's Rocket Classic, was planning to meet Korean-American golfer Michael Kim at a Korean BBQ restaurant on July 28. Michael Kim stated on social media, "Whenever I'm in Detroit, I always go to a certain Korean BBQ place, so I messaged Si Woo Kim inviting him to dinner."

The problem arose because there was a restaurant with the same name on the Canadian side as well. Si Woo Kim, after searching for the restaurant name on Google Maps, absentmindedly set off for the establishment in Windsor, just across the river. Detroit and Windsor are adjacent cities separated by only about 2 kilometers.

In an interview with CBS Sports, Si Woo Kim explained that he assumed the restaurant was the one located about 1.5 miles (approximately 2.4 kilometers) from his hotel in downtown Detroit. He said, "I didn't even think about Canada at all." He went on to say, "As I followed the navigation, I made a turn somewhere and saw a toll booth. I had to pay $9 (about 12,000 won). I wondered why it was so expensive, but the moment I came out of the tunnel, I realized, 'Oh, this is Canada.'"

Golf player Siwoo Kim. Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News

At the time, he only had his wallet with him and had forgotten his passport. He considered turning his car around, but since it was a one-way street with several signs prohibiting U-turns, he could not go back. According to reports, a U.S. border agent told him, "This kind of misunderstanding happens frequently," but also explained, "You cannot turn back at this point, so cross into Canada and speak to the local authorities."

After crossing the tunnel, Si Woo Kim waited in line for 45 minutes before finally meeting a Canadian border officer. Once it was confirmed that he did not have his passport, eight officers surrounded him, and some searched the tournament-provided vehicle he was driving. Although Si Woo Kim tried to explain that he was a tournament player, he was reportedly very tense. During the process, one officer asked if he would win the Rocket Classic, to which Si Woo Kim replied, "If you let me go now, it's possible."

After this commotion, Si Woo Kim returned to the United States, and his dinner appointment was delayed by an hour and a half. Nevertheless, the two golfers were able to have their meal together. Michael Kim wrote on social media, "It's never boring when you're with Si Woo Kim."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.