He graduated from the Seoul National University School of Law and passed his bar examination in 1983.

He entered politics when he was nominated as the Grand National Party's candidate for Yeongdeungpo B in the 2002 South Korean by-elections after former member Kim Min-seok's resignation in order to run in the Seoul Mayoral election.

[4] While not a member of the National Assembly, he actively supported Park Geun-hye's campaign in the 2012 South Korean presidential election.

He was then appointed by President Park Geun-hye to serve as South Korea's Ambassador to China in early 2013.

[6] In the 2020 South Korean legislative election, Kwon narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Kang Tae-woong in the Yongsan constituency race, returning to the National Assembly as a member after eight years.