Kim Yu-Sun was educated at the Pyong-Yang Institute of Physical Education and then became a professor of physical education. He played football as a youth at a high level, playing in 2nd Division leagues in his home country from 1948-51, moving to the 1st Division in 1951-54, and he was on the DPR Korean national team from 1955-58. Kim was director of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Committee from 1964-70, Vice-President of the Central Committee of the League of Socialist Working Youth of Korea (1970-75), and he was President of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Committee and in 1975, Kim became President of the Olympic Committee of DPR Korea. He became an IOC Member in 1978 and served until his resignation in 1994, serving on the Sport for All Commission from 1989-93.