Kang was born in 1930 in
Pyongyang,
Korea, Empire of Japan. He graduated from the Korean literature department of
Kim Il Sung University. In March 1973, he became head of the authors' delegation as deputy chair of the central committee of the
Korean Writers' Union, and visited the
USSR. In February 1986, he became a vice-president of the
Korea Literary Production Company, and in 1989 he became president of the
April 15th Literature League and vice-chairman of the Reunification Literature Department of the Korean Writers' Union. From September 1999 to September 2003, he served as Minister of Culture in the
Cabinet of North Korea, and in August 2000 he became chair of the Korea Public Information Committee. In February 2004, he served as chair of the
Kimilsungia-
Kimjongilia Committee, and in March 2006, he served as deputy chair of the North Korean committee for implementation of the June 15th North–South Joint Declaration. In June 2006, he was again appointed Minister of Culture, and was retained in this position in April 2009 and through January 2010. In February 2010, he served as head of the Film Department of the WPK Central Committee, and as chair of the National Film Committee. In June 2010 he was appointed
vice premier of the North Korean cabinet. In September 2010, he was appointed a member of the
Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. Kang served as a member of the national mourning committees for
Ri In Mo in 2007,
Kim Jung-rin in 2010, and
Kim Jong Il in 2011. ==Delegate to Supreme People's Assembly==