Ryo was a general of the Korean People's Army, President of the Kim Il Sung Military University and a member of the Central Committee of the Party.

In September 1975, he served as Chief of Staff of the 5th Corps as the rank of the Major General of the Korean People's Army, and was elected to the party's Central Committee candidate member in October 1980.

In December 1984, he was appointed Lieutenant General of the People's Army to become the 4th Corps commander.

In April 1992, he was promoted, and was appointed to the 7th Army Corps Commander in October 1994.

Since February 2008, he has served as president of the Kim Il Sung Military University.