On 8 December 2024, he was arrested on suspicion of committing insurrection by advising President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law and sending troops into the National Assembly to seize the legislature.

He graduated from Chungam High School [ko] in Eunpyeong District, Seoul in 1978 (one year ahead of Yoon Suk Yeol), and entered the Korea Military Academy shortly thereafter.

[6] At an unplanned cabinet meeting that Yoon convened minutes before his late-night declaration on 3 December, Kim recommended imposing martial law.

[10] His deputy, Kim Seon-ho, also accused him of having ordered soldiers to enter the National Assembly and prevent lawmakers from gathering to vote down the declaration.

It also revealed Yoon told Commander Lee, "break down the doors, even if it means shooting", and "even if martial law is lifted, I just have to declare martial law two or three times, so keep going", and Minister Kim also prioritized the arrests and detention of Lee Jae-myung, Woo Won-sik, and Han Dong-hoon from the National Assembly.