in 1997, south korea competed in the fed cup world group, having qualified for the first time by beating bulgaria in the 1996 play-off. her win over bulgaria's antoaneta pandjerova in the fourth rubber of the play-off had the distinction of securing the world group spot for south korea. their 1997 world group tie was against argentina in seoul and they were beaten 1-4, with kim losing both a singles and doubles match in three sets.