After Kim's release from prison, he began protesting against Chun's regime and founded the democracy activist group, Democratic Youth Coalition (민청련; 民靑聯) in 1983.

In 1985, he was arrested for profiting North Korea[clarification needed] (which was a frequent frame-up to the democracy movement by the military government) and tortured severely for 23 days by Lee Guen An,[1] who was an inspector of the national police.

The Award is given annually to those whose courageous activism is at the heart of the human rights movement and in the spirit of Robert F. Kennedy's vision and legacy.

The government denied it at that time, but it was revealed as the truth after the democracy movement successfully forced the military regime into enacting democratic reforms.

Because of a low approval rating, he gave up the race for presidency halfway, and supported Roh Moo-hyun, who won the presidential election in 2002.