He graduated from the Law College of Chuo University in Tokyo in 1937.

Kim's diplomatic career began with posts as Consul in Hong Kong and Honolulu, and progressed with assignments as Minister of the South Korean embassies to Japan (1951–1957) and France (May 16, 1957 – September 10, 1958), and then Minister with the Korean mission in Geneva.

[1] He then became Ambassador to Great Britain, concurrently to the Scandinavian countries (1961–1962), to the Philippines (1962–1963), to the United Nations, concurrently Canada (1964–1970),[citation needed] and to the United States (1977–1981).

[2][3] He was also special assistant to the President of the Republic of Korea for Foreign Affairs (1970–1971).

Upon his retirement from the foreign service, Kim took the posts of President of the Republic of Korea National Red Cross, Chairman of the Committee for Promotion of Home Visits by Overseas Koreans, Chairman of the Committee for Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Korean US Relations.