Professor CHA graduated in Sociology from Seoul National University and obtained his PhD at Choong-Ang University in Korea. He began his career in 1971 in the Government of the Republic of Korea as Junior Secretary to the President. He then became Director of the Social Welfare Department and the Health Insurance Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea(1976-1983). He served as the Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea (1999-2000). His contribution to health insurance and long-term care in Korea is well noted in his career as he was Director of Health Insurance, Chair of the Special Committee of Establishing National Health Insurance Services, Chair of the Special Committee on Long-Term Care for Older Persons, all at Ministry of Health and Welfare. From 1983 to 2008, Professor Cha joined Hallym University, first as Professor in the Department of Social Welfare, then as Dean of the College of Social Science and lastly as Vice President of the University.
He was also President of Korea Gerontological Society, President of Federation of Korean Gerontological Societies, President of Korean Academy of Social Welfare, and President of Korea National Council on Social Welfare(2003-2016).In addition, his influence expands over to international scope, since he was Chairperson of Organizing Committee for the 6^th IAGG Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology(1999), President and Organizing Chair of the 20^th IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics(2013), and Organizing Chair of the Joint International Conference on Social Work and Social Development(2016).He served as the President of the IAGG (International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics) from 2013 to 2017, and also served as the President of the International Council on Social Welfare-North East Region from 2012 to 2016.He is currently Professor Emeritus of the Department of Social Welfare at Hallym University, in Korea.