Majors

Bong Ki Kim, founder of Kim International, Dies at 94

MajorsAug 11, 2023

Bong Ki Kim, founder of Kim International, Dies at 94

Born in North Korea, Kim survived three years in a prison camp before fleeing to South Korea and eventually immigrating to the U.S.

Bong Ki Kim of Kim International
Bong Ki “B.K” Kim, founder of jewelry wholesaler Kim International, died last month at the age of 94. Before immigrating to the United States to start his business, Kim served in the South Korean army and aided U.S. generals as a translator.
Addison, Texas—Bong Ki “B.K” Kim, founder of jewelry wholesaler Kim International, died on July 28 at the age of 94.

Kim was born July 9, 1929, in a small North Korean village during the time of Japanese colonization.

His parents were farmers and didn’t have a lot of money but Kim valued education in spite of the limited opportunities available to him.

“His life is a fascinating story of survival and accomplishment,” the company said in Kim’s obituary.

After the Japanese surrender brought an end to World War II, the Communist Party-controlled Soviet Union seized control of North Korea and conditions worsened.

In response, Kim organized an anti-communist student movement in his high school. When North Korean authorities discovered this, he was sent to a prison and labor camp for three years, enduring “unspeakable conditions.”

Freed in 1950 at the age of 21, Kim maintained his stance against communism, joining an anti-communist guerilla group.

During his time in the group, Kim was shot, eventually escaping over the border into South Korea, leaving his parents behind. They would never see each other again.

He found work at a U.S. Air Force base in South Korea as part of the kitchen patrol. Kim was described as a hard worker, and he taught himself to speak English while at the base.

There, he met his future wife Kilcha, and they wed soon after. They had three children, Charlie, Aeran, and Mike.

Kim entered a translator program, later becoming a first lieutenant in the South Korean Army. He served as a translator for several U.S. Army generals and as an aide to one four-star general.

He retired eight years later with the rank of major.

Bong Ki Kim of Kim International
Bong Ki Kim’s “life is a fascinating story of survival and accomplishment,” Kim International said in his obituary.

Kim and his family moved to Miami in 1974 in search of the “American Dream,” including freedom and educational opportunities for his children.

In Miami, he began working at a giftware import business, getting his first glimpse into the giftware and jewelry businesses.

In 1975, he moved his family to Dallas to start his own business, then called Kim Imports.

It was a rough start for Kim as the new business required a lot of hard work, including leaving his family for weeks at a time, traveling and sleeping in a van, attending shows, and visiting stores to sell his jewelry lines.

One of Kim’s favorite stories to tell was the one about his first buying trip to Vicenza, Italy.

He hopped into a taxi at the airport and asked to be taken to a gold factory. With $50,000 cash in hand, Kim made his first major gold purchase.

His company continued to grow throughout the years, specializing in fine fashion and bridal jewelry.

“His journey is truly an example of living the American dream. He began with nothing, but through his resolve and sacrifice, he built a successful jewelry business,” the company said. 

“Most importantly, everything he worked for wasn’t for himself. It was for the family he loved dearly.”

Though Kim retired years ago, he enjoyed returning to the office and sharing stories from his life.

In his free time, he liked to play golf and watch the History Channel.

“His greatest joy was his family, which grew to include nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren,” said the company.

His children, Mike Kim and Aeran Kim-Park, currently run Kim International in Dallas.
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Boucheron Impermanence Boucheron Dragonfly Earrings and Wisteria Hair Piece
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s Impermanence

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

Eric Ford, Couture’s new brand director and former fine jewelry buyer at Neiman Marcus
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

Bench jeweler holding a ring and a tool
IndependentsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic Manufacturing

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Guzema Celestial Blue
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone Jewelry

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

Weekly QuizJul 10, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Long’s Jewelers Summer of Love promo
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s Jewelers

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Ethical Gem Fair
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to Seattle

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Edge and The Edge Retail Academy Logos
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in September

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

Miseno Arco Earrings
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ Earrings

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

James Avery Texas charm
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief Efforts

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Kelly Osbourne Engagement Ring
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as Honey

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

Penny Preville Anniversary Bangles and Penny Preville
CollectionsJul 10, 2025
Penny Preville Celebrates 5 Decades of Jewelry Design

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Exterior shot of Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler in Bellevue, Washington
IndependentsJul 10, 2025
Steven Goldfarb to Retire, Close Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

LVMH chairman and CEO of the Americas Michael Burke
MajorsJul 10, 2025
LVMH Names New Chairman, CEO of the Americas

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

A calligraphy sculptural ring made in 18-karat Fairtrade gold (Photo by: Jamie Trounce)
Events & AwardsJul 10, 2025
IAC Gold and Diamond Conference Returns to NYC

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos
MajorsJul 10, 2025
Hearts On Fire Appoints New Sales Director

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Mikimoto The Bows high jewelry necklace
SurveysJul 09, 2025
Jewelry Stays Strong as Luxury Market Slows, Bain & Co. Says

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

1 NJ-Supplier-Bulletin-Snake-One.jpg
Supplier BulletinJul 09, 2025
JCK Unwrapped: Trends, Insights & Post-Show Tips

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

Cece Jewellery For the Love of Fruits Pendants
CollectionsJul 09, 2025
Cece Jewellery’s New Fruit Jewels Celebrate Life’s Sweetness

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Graphic showing images from National Jeweler’s top 5 stories 2025
EditorsJul 09, 2025
The Most-Read Stories of 2025, So Far

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

 The Dash Diamond Crater of Diamonds State Park
SourcingJul 09, 2025
Florida Couple Finds 3-Carat Diamond in Arkansas

They discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.

Mikimoto Les Pétales Campaign Imagery and Les Pétales Necklace
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into Petals

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium Pricing

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

Diamond Divas Cast
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality Series

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

SMO Golden Gala
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New Foundation

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy