Born into a poor worker's family in Tanchon City of South Hamgyong Province, Kim Tong Gi had to undergo a bitter life as a member of the stateless nation. He came to learn true patriotism in the country liberated by President Kim Il Sung and regard this genuine country, which provides the people with dignity and happiness, as his precious home.

During the Fatherland Liberation War, he fought bravely for the Party and the country with arms in his hand. After the war, he graduated from a university and had devotedly struggled on the sacred road for socialist construction and national reunification.

Chairman Kim Jong Il made sure that he was awarded the titles of DPRK Hero and Doctor of Socio-politics and National Reunification Prize as he kept his revolutionary principle to the last despite all appeasements and brutal tortures by the enemy in prison for over 30 years.

Kim Jong Un invited him as a delegate to the celebrations of the 100th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung and national conferences of war veterans and repeatedly showed great loving care for him so that he could lead a worthwhile life, full of energy despite his advanced age.