GARDENA : Lost South Korean Tourist Surfaces After 3 Weeks
A South Korean tourist who disappeared from Gardena May 12 told police Monday he got lost on a walk and spent three weeks sleeping near a golf course and living on cupcakes and milk.
Young Moon Kim, 46, said he had simply lost his way and had been hoping that friends would find him.
Kim, who speaks no English and was carrying no identification, left his Gardena apartment May 12 to take a walk. He said he became lost after about 15 minutes, eventually reaching the Chester Washington Golf Course. He told police he decided to stay in the golf course area until someone found him. It was not clear where he got the cupcakes and milk.
Police said Kim slept in the open. He tried for several days to recall the phone number of a friend, B.F. Choy, but did not put together the right combination of numbers until Sunday morning. Evidently embarrassed by his ordeal, Kim cut his trip short and flew back to South Korea on Monday night to be with his wife and family, police said.
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