Kim fled China to avoid the Japanese occupation, and was trained at the Whampoa Military Academy in the late 1920s or early 1930s.
During the late 1930s and the 1940s he was in the Eighth Route Army and became brigadier or divisional commander.
[2] On the outbreak of war, 25 June 1950, Kim was a lieutenant general commanding 1 Corps of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
[2] On the death in action of Lieutenant General Kang Kon, Kim succeeded him as chief of staff to General Kim Chaek, front commander.
[2] After the war Kim Ung was appointed vice Defence Minister of North Korea.