 Kim also gained himself several medals from South Korea and Taiwan for his efforts on military and foreign affairs.Belonging to the Gimhae Kim clan, Kim Chong-kon was born in Miryang, Keishō-nandō of the Japanese Korea (now South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea) on November 21, 1930, and spent years studying at Jinhae High School.On September 1, 1948, Kim attend the Korea Naval Academy, and was commissioned as an Ensign after graduating with the 4th class on August 31, 1951.