Hong has chaired many of North Korea's friendship associations with foreign countries.
[4] Hong was the first female ever in that role, prompting Michael Madden of 38 North to write: "While Secretary-General is a largely ceremonial position, her appointment may point to a new emphasis on women as key players in the DPRK's relatively male-dominated political culture.
"[3] Hong was replaced by Jong Yong-guk [ko] as the Secretary General on 11 April 2018 at the sixth session of the 13th SPA.
[9] Hong is the Chairwoman of the Committee for Comfort Women and Victims of the Pacific War Compensation since February 2000, where she had already served before as a permanent member.
Hong was previously the head of the Reunification Office of the Armament Reduction and Peace Institute from November 1991.