After missing of the first international matches of 2009 due to trials in Europe, Cho kept competing for a starting spot in the national team, with Huh Jung-moo trusting him despite of some injury problems (one of which sustained during a friendly match against Iraq) and limited playing time at his new club Wigan: this way, the versatile player has been able to help South Korea qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, since the start of 2010 Cho didn't get any opportunities from the national team anymore, and was eventually let out the list for the world tournament, in which Huh's side made it through the group stage, but then suffered a 2-1 loss against Uruguay and got eliminated in the round of 16.