In 1998, Park claimed her spot in Team Korea, ranked 1st in the national trials, and then she competed in the 1998–99 Short Track Speed Skating World Cup series.

However, at the second event in Hungary, she tore her hamstring, bumping with a British opponent during a race, and was sidelined for a whole year.

In 1999, Park came back from the hamstring injury and participated in the Asian Short Track Speed Skating Championships.

In 2000, Park won two silver medals (3000 metre relay and 1500 metres) at the 2000 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships held in Sheffield, England, and added another silver at the World Team Championships held in The Hague, Netherlands.

Team Korea eventually won its third consecutive Olympic women's 3000 metre relay gold medal, setting the new world record in the final race.