Yevgeny Kim

Yevgeny Ivanovich Kim (Russian: Евгений Иванович Ким; 27 February 1932 – 12 November 1998) was an intelligence officer in the KGB and the recipient of the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

Early life

Kim was born on 1932 in Gochang County, Zenrahoku-dō, Korea, Empire of Japan (now North Jeolla Province, South Korea) to a Korean peasant family. His family later migrated to the Soviet Union. His name was Kim Yong Chue until 1978.

KGB career

In 1960 he graduated from the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the Leningrad State University with a degree in Japanese philology. Kim was fluent in Japanese, Korean, English and Spanish languages.

Kim served in the First Main Directorate of the KGB of the USSR from 1960. In 1966, as intelligence agent, he began to work in an unidentified country with a complex intelligence-operational situation. There he showed himself to be an expert intelligence agent, distinguished by high professionalism, broad outlook, good analytical and organizational skills. Working undercover until 1989, he successfully managed the autonomous illegal residency created with his direct participation and had contacts who were sources of valuable documentary information; through these contacts Kim obtained information on priority issues which were highly appreciated and implemented according to the highest priority. Currently, the identification of the country in which Kim worked remains classified. It is assumed that he worked in China, where other Soviet Koreans in KGB were assigned in those days, but this is unconfirmed. Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service S.E. Naryshkin voiced the name of Kim as an important agent of an illegal immigrant working in Japan.

Abroad, Kim managed to achieve a high post in the civil service and began to transmit valuable information to the USSR. A couple of times, the KGB arranged trips for Kim to meet with his wife and son, who remained in Moscow as the Slavic appearance of his wife could create risks during his assignment. But such trips were very rare. However, he later divorced from his wife following the death of his son from drowning. He returned home for one day, to prepare for his son's funeral.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 21, 1987, Kim was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal for "courage and heroism displayed in the performance of his official duty".

After his return to the USSR, Kim continued to work in the central apparatus of the KGB.

Later life

Following the dissolution of Soviet Union, after taking a temporary break, he worked in the newly created Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.

Kim died in Moscow on November 12, 1998, after being hit by a car. He was buried with full military honors at the Troyekurovskoye Cemetery in Moscow.

Awards and decorations

• Honorary State Security Officer