Two Days Before 35th Birthday... Korean-American Former U.S. Officer Killed in Ukraine Conflict

Discharged after 12 years as a US military officer... Joined Ukrainian volunteer battalion last August
Died in Mykolaiv battle on the 5th of last month... Funeral held in Texas, US on the 4th

The late Captain Paul Kim during his lifetime. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] It was recently revealed that a Korean-American former U.S. military officer who volunteered to fight in the Ukraine war was killed in action.

The Strategic Communications and Information Security Center (CSCIS) under the Ukrainian government announced on the 3rd (local time) through its website that former U.S. Army Captain Paul Lee Kim died on the 5th of last month during the battle to liberate the southern Mykolaiv region. According to CSCIS, Captain Kim served for 12 years, including with the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, before leaving the military, and joined Ukraine’s foreign volunteer unit, the Territorial Defense Forces International Legion (International Legion), in August.

Regarding the circumstances of his death, CSCIS stated, "On that day, which proved fatal for Captain Kim, an exceptionally fierce battle took place in Ternovody, Mykolaiv region. The soldiers captured 12 Russian troops, and enraged invaders launched a large-scale bombardment. It is understood that Captain Kim and another Ukrainian soldier could not escape the enemy’s shelling." CSCIS added, "He became a hero of the Russia-Ukraine war." The day Captain Kim died was two days before his 35th birthday. To honor him, the International Legion named his unit 'Team Kilo,' which was his call sign.

His body was transported to his hometown in Texas, USA, via Kyiv, and a funeral mass will be held on the 4th at Greenwood Chapel in Texas. Born in 1987 in Irving, Texas, Captain Kim graduated from the University of Oklahoma and is survived by his parents and one sibling.

The obituary described him as "passionate about traveling, learning, and teaching history and culture, and a gourmet. He was selfless and always prioritized others over himself. He loved Oklahoma football, his dad’s jokes, wordplay, and his friends and family. Paul was a devoted Catholic and actively involved in his church community," honoring his memory.