He was the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA) from when he replaced Kim Jong-gak in May 2018 until January 2021.

[5] Kim has previously served as the Chairman of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Worker's Party from April 2014 to 2018 when he was replaced by Ri Man-gon.

North Korean media announced the reshuffle in May 2018,[7] after Kim Jong-gak had served for merely four months.

It is possible that the appointment took place on 17 May at a meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea chaired by Kim Jong-un.

[4] At a personnel reshuffle at the First Session of the 14th SPA Kim lost his seat in the presidium but was elevated to a member of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.