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 Global taekwondo community gathers for 2026 Hanmadang Festival
The 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang, widely regarded as the premier festival for the global taekwondo community, opened Saturday at Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters.
The five-day event, which runs through Wednesday, brings together 4,261 participants from 61 countries. Athletes will compete in 15 events across 170 categories.
Hosted annually, the festival operates under the theme of a "world united through taekwondo." The competition is open to anyone holding a Kukkiwon "poom" or "dan" certification, cementing its reputation as the largest celebration for taekwondo practitioners worldwide.
The 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony takes place at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
By Choi Won-suk
Athletes from 61 nations converge for 5 days of competition across 15 taekwondo disciplines
Taekwondo athletes perform during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes from different countries wait to enter the stage during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Kukkiwon President Yoon Woong-seok delivers opening remarks during the event's opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Han Hye-jin, acting chair and secretary-general of the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang organizing committee, delivers opening remarks during the event's opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes perform during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes perform during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes perform during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes perform during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony at Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Kukkiwon President Yoon Woong-seok, right, greets a participant during a parade for the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang opening ceremony near Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
A taekwondo athlete representing Egypt marches in a parade during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang near Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes from Mexico march in a parade during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang near Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes from Malaysia march in a parade during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang near Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes march in a parade during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang near Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon
Taekwondo athletes march in a parade during the 2026 World Taekwondo Hanmadang near Kukkiwon in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Kukkiwon