When Jo was in active service, she bagged gold medals in the Asian Games and other international tournaments and was awarded the title of Merited Athlete.

After beginning her career as a coach in Juche 68 (1979), she trained many gymnastic aces. Among her trainees are winners of the title of Merited Athlete. Typical of them is Kang Yong Mi, who won a gold medal in the uneven bars event of the 2014 FIG ART Challenge Cup.

Jo is now working hard to train promising gymnasts to add luster to the honor of the DPRK at international tournaments.