Cross cultural communication has been a life-long passion for Edmonds resident Ted Kim.
At 75, Kim, who was born and raised in Korea, has served as a Korean and Japanese interpreter for the San Diego Police Department and has helped many individuals along the way. After moving to Edmonds two years ago to be closer to his son in Seattle, Kim began volunteering as an interpreter with local police officials and remains on call for “24 hours a day, seven days a week – all the time.”
“This is my opportunity to serve the community and do some good,” Kim said. “It is a gift I cherish.”
His “gift” for language, he explained, “is in my blood and in my genes.” His grandfather and both of his parents also were fluent in three different languages, including English.
As a young boy, Kim learned English by talking with a Hawaiian friend and military personnel stationed in Korea. When Kim was 21 years old, he worked as an interpreter in the U.S. Air Force, after which he moved to a position as a translator for the CIA. Before retiring in 1988, he worked as a program systems analyst for IBM.
In 1998, Kim, who lived in San Diego at the time, came across a newspaper article about how a Japanese American police officer who was bilingual worked to assist area tourists. The story, Kim said, inspired him to get involved.
“Helping law enforcement is important, but I don’t do it just to help the law. I do it to help people who are not as fortunate as I am in terms of being able to speak English,” Kim said.
While in San Diego, Kim received two Commanding Officer Citation awards for his work as a volunteer interpreter, including one for his work in helping with a case involving the molestation of a five-year-old Korean girl.
When he moved to Edmonds, Kim said he offered his services to the local police department officials, who were eager to have Kim join their team.
In the time he has volunteered with Edmonds Police, Kim said he has been involved in two instances, one of mistaken identity and one of sexual harassment. And while his emergency cell phone doesn’t ring often, he said he doesn’t leave home without it, in case one of the police officers needs him on the scene.
Kim also uses his skills in other areas of the community. As an active member of a local church, Kim works to help involve Korean immigrants and families into the community. Language, he said, often is what isolates those who are new to town.
“When I get involved with these people, and with victims of crime, I’m helping my people,” Kim said, “and that gives me great satisfaction.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
