Choi Won-suk is a photojournalist at The Korea Times. Before joining the newspaper, he also worked as a photojournalist with AFP and St. Joseph News-Press in Missouri. He spent 13 years in the United States, graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism degree (Cum Laude) from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Master of Arts in Photography from Ohio University - Athens. Over the past 11 years, Choi covered various news events such as presidential elections, the 2019 North Korea-United States Hanoi Summit and 2022 Qatar World Cup. But above all, Choi believes in local journalism and finds a lot of joy telling life stories of ordinary citizens in small neighborhoods.
PHOTOS 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off
Players from South Korea and the Czech Republic enter the pitch before a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico,Thursday, June 11. Yonhap
By Choi Won-suk
A Korean fan cheers inside Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico before a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between Korea and the Czech Republic, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
Aespa's Karina, left, and Winter take a selfie at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico before a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between Korea and the Czech Republic, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
A Korean fan wears a sombrero inside Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico before a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between Korea and the Czech Republic, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
A Korean fan stands outside Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico before a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between Korea and the Czech Republic, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
2026 FIFA World Cup mascots, from left, Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar and Clutch the Bald Eagle, pose for a photo before a Group A soccer match between Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. AFP-Yonhap
South Korea's Lee Kang-in and Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci compete for the ball during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea defender Seol Young-woo battles for the ball with Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico,Thursday, June 11. AFP-Yonhap
South Korea defender Lee Han-beom competes for the ball with Czech Republic midfielder Lukas Provod during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. AFP-Yonhap
South Korea's Son Heung-min compets for the ball with Czech Republic's Pavel Sulc during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea's Lee Kang-in and Czechia's Ladislav Krejci chase down the ball during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. AP-Yonhap
South Korea fans take part in the wave in the stands during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea's Lee Han-beom plays at the ball during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. AP-Yonhap
South Korea's Son Heung-min takes a shot during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Yonhap
Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci scores his team's first goal against South Korea during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci scores his team's first goal against South Korea during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea's Hwang In-beom, right, scores his team's first goal during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. AP-Yonhap
South Korea's Hwang In-beom celebrates scoring his team's first goal during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium inb Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea's Oh Hyeon-gyu scores his team's second goal in the second half of a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Yonhap
South Korea's Oh Hyeon-gyu celebrates after scoring his team's second goal in the second half of a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium, Thursday, June 11. Yonhap
South Korea's Son Heung-min, center, celebrates with teammates after winning a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea players pose for a celebratory photo after winning a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, Thursday, June 11. Yonhap
Fans cheer at Gwanghwamun Square during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and the Czech Republic, Friday, June 12. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-Chul
Fans cheer at a street viewing party at Gwanghwamun Square during a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and the Czech Republic on Friday, June 12,