He was born in Dongbu-ri, Goesan county, Chungcheongbuk-do, where he took part in the 3.1 Movement in 1919.

Hong also was part of the Korean nationalist group Singanhoe which was founded in 1927.

[3] After the Korean War, he occupied various important positions in North Korea.

He is buried in the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery in Hyongjesan-guyok, Pyongyang, North Korea.

His grandson, Hong Sok-jung, is also a well known North Korean author.