Having started his career in International Automotive Design in the United Kingdom in 1991, Kim was involved in designing various Japanese and European automobiles, including British Airway's First Class seat design.

From 1995, he served as Chief Exterior Designer at the former Daewoo Motor Company, leading the exterior design of the Magnus, Lacetti, Kalos and Matiz. In 2000, he moved to Fiat and participated in designs such as Cinquecento, Punto and Ducato. He joined GM Daewoo in January 2006 as Director of Advanced Design, was appointed Director of Exterior Design in November 2006 and has been Managing Director for Design Operations since February 2007.

Born in Seoul in 1960, Kim holds a master's degree in Vehicle Design from the Royal College of Art and a bachelor's degree of fine arts in Transport Design from Brigham Young University.