She is one of the few women (among others, Kim Kyong-hui, Kim Rak-hui and Han Kwang-bok) who perform the highest functions in the North Korean government apparatus.

From December 2009 she is the head of the Institute, replacing Kim Ki-nam.

Pursuant to the decision of the 3rd Conference of the Korean Workers' Party, on September 28, 2010, Kim was elected for the first time to the Central Committee.

In 2009 she was elected to the 12th convocation of the Supreme People's Assembly, representing the 157th electoral district.

[1] In 2016 she was elected full member of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.