It is believed that he walked the entire length and breadth of the Korean peninsula, through mountain and valley, in order to research and compile his magnum opus, the Daedongyeojido, (대동여지도; 大東輿地圖) a map of Korea that was published in 1861, from which a single-sheet version, the Daedongyeojijeondo (대동여지전도 大東與地全圖), was subsequently made.
The document from the Governor-General of Korea asserts that the Korean regent Daewongun, upon viewing the later version of Kim's great map, became incensed by its inclusion of sensitive details critical to national defense.
According to the document, the Daewongun had Kim arrested and jailed, and the maps destroyed.
Furthermore, others who helped develop the map, such as Choe Han-gi and Shin Hun, were not convicted at all.
The Korean historical community generally believe that the document was a fabrication by the General-Government, which was under the control of Japan during the Japanese colonization of Korea.