Kim was born in Los Angeles, California in 1983. He was the son of Korean immigrants who instilled in him a strong work ethic and the importance of education. After completing high school, Kim attended the University of San Diego, where he earned a degree in mathematics.
Following college, Kim joined the Navy and was accepted into the SEAL training program. He excelled in this demanding program and was eventually assigned to SEAL Team 3, where he served multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Kim’s service in the Navy earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor. He was also recognized as the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist of the Year in 2011.
After leaving the Navy, Kim decided to pursue a career in medicine. He was accepted into Harvard Medical School, where he earned his medical degree in 2016. While at Harvard, Kim also worked as a research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he studied the effects of space travel on the human body.
Kim’s combined expertise in the military and medicine caught the attention of NASA, and in 2017 he was selected to join the astronaut corps. He completed astronaut candidate training in 2019 and is now eligible for spaceflight assignments.
In addition to his professional achievements, Kim is also known for his dedication to giving back to the community. He has served as a mentor for students at his alma mater, the University of San Diego, and has also worked with organizations that provide support to veterans and their families.
Kim’s story is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. He has overcome numerous challenges and achieved a great deal of success in both the military and space exploration, and his example is one that anyone seeking to pursue their dreams can draw inspiration from.
