[citation needed] Cho was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the United States as an undocumented immigrant with his parents at the age of four and settled in Chicago.

[4] Growing up, Cho recounted that life was financially difficult as an undocumented immigrant, stating, "My parents left for work before I woke up and came back home after I went to sleep.

[3][4] Due to a display of skill in speed skating, his parents sold their business and spent their savings to move to Salt Lake City to train Cho for the sport after he graduated from junior high school.

Simon Cho now resides in Rockville, Maryland and when he is not coaching, he enjoys watching sports, documentaries and attending concerts.

[7] On August 27, 2013, Cho received a two-year suspension from competitions after he admitted having sabotaged his Canadian rival's Olivier Jean's equipment during the 2011 World Team Championships.