Looking for Kim: US veteran's son searches for lost 'brother'

Bob Mosier, the son of U.S. Marine combat photographer Robert H. Mosier, is embarking on a personal quest to locate a Korean boy known only as Kim, who once lived and worked alongside his father during the Korean War. Mosier recently reached out to the Korean Embassy for assistance after discovering a 1953 National Geographic article co-authored by his father, which included a photo of Kim. The search, Mosier explained, is driven by a desire to learn more about the man he never had the chance to know as an adult. Mosier’s father, Robert H. Mosier, served as a combat photographer during the Korean War, documenting the conflict for the U.S. military. According to Mosier, Kim was one of his closest companions during the war. The boy, who later became a domestic worker for a group of U.S. Marines, received support from the Marines in the form of food, clothing, and educational opportunities. Kim also accompanied Robert H. Mosier on photography missions and shared dreams of becoming a photographer himself. The bond between the two men was deep, and Mosier described their relationship as almost brotherly. Upon returning to the United States after the war, the Mosier family considered adopting Kim but ultimately decided against it. They believed it was best for Kim to stay in Korea with his extended family as the country began to rebuild. Mosier has long pondered what happened to Kim after they were separated and expressed a hope to understand more about Kim’s life from the boy’s perspective. He believes that Kim, now likely in his mid-to-late 80s, might still be alive and living in Korea. Speaking emotionally, Mosier reflected on the connection between himself and Kim. “Whether you realize it or not, we’re brothers in a sense,” he said, fighting back tears. “Even if you’re Korean and I’m an American, we share so much in common.” His goal is to reconnect with Kim or his family and gain insight into the latter part of Kim’s life following the war. Mosier has been actively reaching out to anyone who might have information about Kim’s whereabouts. He urged people who come across the information to contact him directly. In addition, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has joined the effort, launching a public appeal and encouraging anyone with knowledge of Kim’s current status to come forward. The ministry is accepting tips via its official website and YouTube channel. A video released by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on July 27 features Bob Mosier pointing to a photograph of Kim in the 1953 National Geographic article. The image shows Kim standing beside Robert H. Mosier outside Camp Rotation in the Hongcheon area. The accompanying Korean text reads: “Looking for Kim, the boy who stood by us during the Korean War.” This ongoing search highlights the enduring impact of wartime relationships and the lasting connections formed in times of conflict. As Mosier continues his efforts, the hope remains that someone will provide the missing link to connect him with Kim or his descendants.