Kim Ik-ryeol was born in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam South Korea in 1921.
After the war, Kim entered an English school for language training and graduated in 1946.
[2]: 174 [3]: 31 On May 6, 1948, Kim Ik-ryeol was replaced by Colonel Park Jin-gyeong as commander of government police forces on Jeju.
[1] After leaving the military, Kim served as president of the Korea Auto Industries Cooperative Association from May 1979 until February 1981.
He died in 1988 and was buried at the South Korean National Cemetery in December 1988.