[1][2][3] Born in Goseong of Gyeongsang Province, Kim spent his adolescence in Jinju.

Under the Roh Tae-woo government, Kim was sentenced to two years in prison for participating in the democracy movement, but was later released.

[4] Kim is considered to be part of the pro-Roh group, along with the former president Moon Jae-in and former South Chungcheong Province governor Ahn Hee-jung.

Despite his victory, Kim was suspected to have been heavily involved in the opinion rigging scandal.

[7] In 21 July 2021, he was sentenced to two years by the supreme court for computer business obstruction, and eventually lost his position as governor.