Food Associate ‘Knows Everybody and What They Need’

Man-So, Kim, the lone food service worker at the snack shop, has taken care of U.S. and Korean Soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison in Yongsan since September 1979. She began her Exchange career in 1964, at age 19.

Now 71 and in her 52nd year with the Exchange,  Ms. Kim still works 40 hours a week and exemplifies the Department of Defense retailer’s core value of family serving family. Ms. Kim speaks Korean and some English, but her spirit transcends any language barrier. Each day, Ms. Kim serves up smiles while remembering what her customers like to order.

“In our office, we call it the ‘Ms. Kim Special’ – two hot dogs and a drink,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Brown, who serves in the Eighth Army and stops in a few times a week for a bite to a eat and an energy drink. “She has a memory like an elephant. She’s awesome.”

  Yongsan Exchange General Manager Steve Pena applauded Ms. Kim’s long tenure of service and support.

“She’s very friendly,” Pena said. “She’s always smiling and very happy.”

Though she’s worked for 52 years, Ms. Kim said she has no plans to slow down.