Born in a poor peasant family before the country's liberation, Kim Yong Dal joined the Korean People's Army during the hard-fought Fatherland Liberation War. He bravely fought for the victory in the war in hearty response to the order of President Kim Il Sung.

He was arrested by the enemy while waging a sacred struggle for national reunification in the post-war period. He remained true to his revolutionary faith and principles despite all sorts of sufferings behind bars for decades.

Leader Kim Jong Il saw to it that he was brought back to the DPRK. He showed all sorts of loving care for him, projecting him as hero of the Republic and recipient of the National Reunification Prize.