[2][3] Cho attended Kyungpook National University for bachelor and master programs in mathematics, and earned a doctorate in 1987 from the University of Chicago under the academic direction of Melvin Rothenburg, Karen Uhlenbeck, and Shmuel Weinberger.

Professor Cho has published more than 130 academic research papers, and more than 15 text books on Topology, and has delivered more than 230 special lectures at various international conferences and scholarly events, including American Mathematical Society's Annual Conference and Harvard Math Colloquium Lecture Series.

Cho has been active in advancing South Korean mathematical research capabilities and national science development by holding several positions.

Cho held President position of the Korean Mathematical Society (KMS, January 2003 – December 2004), and during this positionCho played a critical role in establishing the National Institute for Mathematical Sciences (NIMS) in South Korea, the first national mathematical research center directly funded by the South Korean government.

Cho has received several honors and awards, including -"The Presidential Honors, President of South Korea Park Geun-hye (대한민국 대통령 옥조근정훈장, 2015)," -"The 10th Ewha Academic Award (이화학술상, 2014)", -"Mathematics Award, Microsoft Korea Inc. (마이크로소프트 수학상, 2003)," -"Ewha Womans University "Award for Outstanding Science and Technology Papers,(이화여대 최고우수논문상 수상, 2001)",[10] -"Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (한국과학기술총연합회 우수논문상, 1992)" -Professor Cho had been university fellow at the University of Chicago during his entire graduate studies in 1984–1987.