Born into a serviceman's family in May 1963, he had been active as an airman of the Korean People's Army until December 1992.

While performing his flight duty as a pilot, he came to face a danger due to a plane breakdown. He was ordered to bail out from the plane but chose the death to ensure the security of the headquarters of revolution.

Leader Kim Jong Il recalled Kil's heroic deed, when visiting his unit in April 2001, and instructed officials to move the graves of Kil and other heroes into the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery.

He also saw to it that the bust of Kil Yong Jo was erected at his alma mater and the school was called after his name and that feature film and song telling about his life and heroic feats were created.

On March 2 this year Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, visited a unit of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Force and highly estimated the heroic spirit displayed by Kil. And he said the spirit is the most precious mental asset that can be bartered with nothing.