Kim Hyangja has been working for 32 years at the Korea Tourism Organization and Korea Culture & Tourism Research Institute since joining the Korea Transportation Development Institute in 1987. During her tenure at the Institute, Kim has contributed to the development of the Institute, including the executive director of the planning and management group, the executive director of the tourism research group, and the head of the statistical evaluation center. As a tourism expert, Kim has contributed to the development of regional tourism development, revitalization of island tourism, revitalization of urban tourism, and Jeju Island tourism. Now she is a member of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development. Major researches include 'Research on the development of local tourism resources, Ⅰ and Ⅱ' and received the Presidential Award in 2018.