Jo is a confidant of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, and accompanies him often on guidance tours, mostly in relation to economy.[3] In 2016 he was the most frequent member of Kim's entourage.[6]
According to NK News, Jo was "once described as a 'rising star' of DPRK politics [and] remains one of the country's most important officials." Jo is often featured in North Korean media; in 2018 his name was mentioned more often than that of any other official except Kim Jong Un.[3]
In March 2021 in Pyongyang, Jo "sharply censured the shortcomings" of WPK city and county level cadre, calling out their "deviations of failing to properly apply our Party's people-first politics."[7]
Sanctions and travel ban
In January 2017, the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned Jo for his involvement in the censorship activities of the OGD.[8][9] In June 2017, Jo was singled out in Annex 1 of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2356, which placed an international travel ban and asset freeze on him.[10]