[5] Kim received his BA degree in public administration from Chung-Ang University in 1982, M.P.A.

He has been named Underwood Distinguished Professor from 2010 to 2013,[18] and was the Dean of the College of Government and Business at Yonsei University.

Kim was the founding director[19] of the Institute of Poverty Alleviation and International Development[20] (IPAID) at Yonsei University in 2010–2013.

He was the Minister of Personnel Management[21] (MPM, 인사혁신처) in the Republic of Korea from July 2017 to December 2018.

Kim has published over 200 refereed articles in Korean and international journals and also authored several books.