Hong Ok-nam represented her nation at international competitions. She competed at the 1986 Asian Winter Games in the 1500 metres event (finishing 15th) and 3000 metres event (finishing 13th) and four years later at the 1990 Asian Winter Games also in the 1500 metres event (finishing 6th) and 3000 metres event (finishing 7th). She also competed at other international competitions in Germany, Russia and Hungary.