1. Early life and background
Kim Jong-Kyung was born on May 9, 1982, in South Korea. Details regarding his childhood and the formative years that led to his football career are not extensively documented in available sources.
2. Club career
Kim Jong-Kyung's club career spanned across South Korea's K League and later the Indonesian Super League, marked by an unconventional start with a military club.
2.1. Military service and early career
Kim's entry into professional football in South Korea was distinctive, as his first club was Gwangju Sangmu Bulsajo, a military team. This engagement occurred while he was fulfilling his military service obligations. This approach was somewhat unusual, as most players typically aim to establish a professional career before undertaking military duties, allowing them to return to an existing club afterward.
2.2. K League
Following the completion of his military service, Kim joined Gyeongnam FC in 2006, the same year the club made its debut in the K League. He quickly established himself as a regular starter for Gyeongnam. In 2007, Kim transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where he again became a regular starter, demonstrating consistent performance. His next move in 2008 was to Daegu FC, where he remained for two seasons. However, this transfer proved to be largely unsuccessful for Kim, as he only featured in two matches for the club, both appearances occurring in the 2008 edition of the Korean League Cup.
2.3. Indonesian League
At the conclusion of the 2009 K League season, Kim Jong-Kyung made a significant career move by joining Persipura Jayapura, an Indonesian club. During his time with Persipura Jayapura, he notably started in a match for the AFC Champions League. Subsequently, Kim moved to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, to play for Persitara in the Indonesian Super League. After Persitara faced relegation to the Liga Indonesia Premier Division, Kim transferred to the newly formed club, Batavia United FC. This move was primarily to ensure he could remain playing in the top-tier Indonesian Super League.