[1] In the 1996 AFC Youth Championship, he played for South Korean under-20 team, and scored his first international goal against Iran,[2] He wasn't selected as a participant in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, but he was named in South Korean senior team for the 1998 Asian Games by the manager Huh Jung-moo.

During the 2002 World Cup, he gained an unusually large female fan base,[6] led to sold-out matches and goodies, and caused a sudden increase in popularity of Jeonnam Dragons.

[10] In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Kim didn't only contribute to South Korea's defense, but also attack with long-range passes.

[11][12] He also played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but he was blamed by some South Korean fans after conceding a penalty kick to Nigeria.

The question was raised once again when a netizen posted a picture of a woman who he claimed was Kim Bo-min at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

In an interview with a women's magazine, the footballer's parents have stated that they have heard from their son that they are romantically involved, but did not hear about marriage.