Student dies after binge drinking

By David Enders

Daily Staff Reporter

In the late 1980s, Byung Soo Kim came to the University while his father, Ha Young Kim, was a visiting professor. When Byung Soo was ready to go to college, he returned to Ann Arbor.

The Engineering sophomore celebrated his 21st birthday Friday night, a day late, at a friend's home at Willow Tree apartment complex near North Campus. According to the Ann Arbor Police Department he tried to drink 21 shots of Scotch whiskey. Kim passed out early Saturday morning after taking 20 shots in about 10 minutes.

His time at the University ended tragically when he died yesterday at 6 a.m. following more than two days in intensive care.

Kim's parents arrived from South Korea on Sunday. His mother, Jung Sun Park, spoke at a press conference yesterday afternoon. "We hope that all who knew our son will remember him as selfless, supportive, considerate, loving and kind. He had brought great joy to us and was a loyal friend to many," Park said.

Kim's parents were joined by University officials, wearing white ribbons in memory of Kim, who addressed the problem of "heavy episodic drinking."

Kim passed out after drinking 20 shots. Friends put him in a back bedroom to recover. An hour later, they discovered Kim was not breathing and called an ambulance.

Ann Arbor Police Department officer Eric Bowles responded to the apartment and found Kim and another student, who was breathing, unconscious in the bedroom. Bowles began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Kim before paramedics arrived. The other student was taken to the hospital along with Kim and has been released.

His parents said the incident was not indicative of Kim's character and that he was more likely to be the person taking care of drunken friends instead of vice versa.

"This could happen to any student," University Provost Nancy Cantor said. "This was not a student who was normally drinking in excess this way."

"The 21st birthday celebration that has developed on other campuses has come to our own," Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper said, referring to the traditional 21 shots expected to be consumed on one's 21st birthday. Bradley McCue, a Michigan State University student, died after drinking 24 shots in the span of two hours for his 21st birthday.

Kim was resuscitated, but spent the weekend in intensive care and never regained consciousness.

The Ann Arbor Police Department is investigating his death, but because he was 21 and took the shots by himself, criminal charges are unlikely.

Kyung Jin, Kim's roommate in University Towers, declined to speak to comment.

The University currently provides information on binge drinking at student orientation and has also conducted a poster campaign on campus.

When asked if the University's initiatives against dangerous drinking have been successful, Harper said it is hard to tell.

"We know it is in our best interest to educate than not to educate," she said.

Hernan Gomez, a toxicologist at the University Hospitals emergency room, said that a normal-sized man will register a blood alcohol level above the legal limit after two or three shots of whiskey in an hour.

Although the Washtenaw County coroner has not officially ruled Kim's death alcohol related, Kim's blood alcohol level of .39 percent is considered extremely high.

"Above 0.3 percent is enough to cause severe respiratory depression," Gomez said.

A University survey in 1999 found that 45 percent of undergraduate students had reported an episode of binge drinking in the past two weeks.

"Binge drinking is the leading cause of death among college students," said Carol Boyd, the study's chief investigator said.

"These students have a sense of invulnerability," Cantor said.

Kim was a member of the Korean International Student Association and was also a part of traditional Korean music ensembles.

A memorial service for Kim is planned for 7 p.m. tonight at First Congregational Church at 608 E. William St. Funeral arrangements are pending through Muehlig Funeral Parlor.

"We hope to establish a fund in our son's memory that will serve international students with education and assistance on substance issues," Park said.

Counseling is available to students by calling University Psychological Services at 764-8312 and the International Center 764-9310.