The search for a missing Toronto area man has led police officials to North Bay.
Eugene Kim has been missing since Monday morning. Police have traced a call from the Markham man to a cell tower in the area of North Bay, about a 335 kilometre drive north of where he was spotted on Monday.
Sean Kim said his brother paid for a permit to enter nearby Algonquin Park. Park staff said he was with someone when he paid for the permit, but Eugene’s family does not know who that person is.
Family members set out for Algonquin Park on Wednesday to search for him. Det. Patrick Brown said officers from two separate OPP detachments, as well as conservation officers in Algonquin, are searching campgrounds for Eugene.
Kim last seen by his at 7 a.m. on Monday in the Thornhill area. Later at 9 p.m., his brother Sean said he texted his wife to tell him he would be home in an hour. He texted again hours later after his wife asked where he was to say he would be home 'soon.'
Det. Brown said there is no reason to suspect anything criminal has taken place, but the family is extremely concerned for his safety.
When he didn’t return, Brown said family reported him missing on Wednesday morning.
His mother, Myung Sook Kim, asked anyone who has seen him to contact police immediately.
“We want your safe return so badly. We love you, we miss you so much.”
His wife, Christine, fighting tears, asked him to come home for the sake of his son and daughter.
“Eugene, we love you please come to us. We can’t live without you. Adi and Carter need you.”
His family and police said it is extremely out of character for him to be away from his wife and two children; a six-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl.
Police said he has no known connection to the North Bay area, but he did like to go camping occasionally, leading them to search the Algonquin Park grounds.
Eugene is described as a Korean male, standing five-feet-nine inches tall, weighing 185 pounds. He has black hair and wears eyeglasses.
with files with CTV Toronto
