1959. 10. Born in Busan, Gyeongsangbuk-do

1983. Passed the 25th National Judicial Examination

1986. Judge of Seoul District Court, Northern Branch Court

1990. Judge of Masan District Court, Jinju Branch Court

1997. Judge of Seoul High Court

1999. Judicial Research Judge of the Supreme Court

2002. Presiding Judge of Suwon District Court

2004. Presiding Judge of Seoul Central District Court

2008. Presiding Judge of the Intellectual Property High Court

2009. Chief Presiding Judge of the Intellectual Property High Court

2010. Presiding Judge of Seoul High Court

2016. Chief Judge of Chuncheon District Court

2017. The 16th Chief Justice of the Republic of Korea

2023. Retired as Chief Justice

Chief Justice Kim aimed to achieve ‘fair and efficient trials’ that would result in a just outcome of the case through impartial and thorough court hearings. In an effort to prevent the bureaucratization of judges, he abolished the presiding judge of a high court position and proceeded to establish the National Council of Judges as a permanent body. Chief Justice Kim initiated measures to decentralize the concentrated judicial administrative power granted to the Chief Justice by setting an internal recommendation system to appoint the Chief Judge and the Advisory Council on Judicial Administration. Furthermore, he enhanced the public’s access to justice by expanding video conference hearings and forging ahead with adopting e-litigation in criminal proceedings. The Ulsan Family Court, Suwon High Court, Namyangju Branch Court of Uijeongbu District Court, Suwon Bankruptcy Court, and Busan Bankruptcy Court were open, respectively, during his tenure.