"I Want to Meet You on Behalf of My Father"...Searching for 'KIM,' the Korean War Connection

Family of Late War Correspondent Robert Mozier
Searching for Korean Boy Separated Over 70 Years Ago

The family of the late American war correspondent Robert H. Mozier is searching for "KIM," the Korean boy whom he formed a bond with during the Korean War.

Robert H. Mozier and Korean boy Kim. Courtesy of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

H. Mozier served as a U.S. Marine war correspondent, participating in the Korean War from 1951 to 1952. His photographs and writings documenting the horrors of war were published in the 1953 issue of National Geographic under the title "Children of America and Korea: American Soldiers Share Food, Clothes, and Shelter with Children in a Land Ravaged by War."

His son, Robert P. Mozier, recently asked the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for help in finding "KIM," the unit aide who accompanied his father during the Korean War. "KIM, whether you realize it or not, in some sense we are 'brothers,'" he said. "You are Korean and I am American, but we are alike in so many ways." He added, "My father always missed 'KIM' while he was alive. I sincerely want to meet you on his behalf."

"KIM" was a boy whom H. Mozier met at a refugee camp near Changdo-ri (formerly in Changdo-myeon, Kimhwa County, Gangwon Province, currently in North Korea). He was about 15 years old during the winter of 1951, which would mean he was likely born between 1935 and 1937. It is known that he grew up in a Christian family from Hongcheon, but after their house was destroyed by bombing and his father died, they relocated to a nearby area.

H. Mozier traveled with the boy to take photographs. Around Christmas, he visited the boy's home and met his mother, grandfather, and sister. Their relationship ended in July 1952 when the division withdrew.

P. Mozier stated, "Since the early 1990s, I have made several attempts to locate this boy, but have not found any clues." He added, "This time, I hope that public interest and the help of those in Korea will allow us to restore the valuable connection my father had during the war." The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is accepting information related to this search.

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