Kim joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978 and has served in various capacities, including overseas posting at Korean embassies in the United States and India.
Between 2004 and 2005, he was Director-General for Policy Planning and Ambassador for Regional Security Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to his appointment to the United Nations, he served as Ambassador of South Korea from October to December 2007.
[3] Kim was one of the most influential advisors to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon[4] and widely considered his right-hand man.
[8] In a recent address marking the coinciding 70th anniversary of the UN and 70th anniversary of the first and last use of nuclear weapons in war, Kim outlined goals to address the urgent issue of nuclear disarmament as well as sustainable development related to climate concerns.