Jonny Kim, a NASA astronaut of Korean descent, has successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first Korean-American to venture into space. Kim and his Russian astronaut colleagues will remain aboard the ISS for approximately eight months, conducting various missions. The Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft, carrying Kim, docked with the ISS around 6:00 PM KST yesterday. Approximately two hours later, the hatch to the station was opened, and the three astronauts, including Kim, entered the ISS, about three hours after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Upon their arrival, the seven astronauts already aboard the ISS, including Americans, Russians, and Japanese, warmly welcomed the newcomers, exchanging hugs and handshakes. When a mission control official remarked that Kim’s smile upon entering the ISS was a sight to behold, Kim responded briefly, saying, "Thank you very much. It is an honor to be here." Kim and the Russian astronauts will spend the next eight months on the ISS, conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations, with their return to Earth scheduled for December 9, 2025.

(MBC News April 9, 2025)