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.
World Taekwondo president awarded honorary doctorate for sports leadership
World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won speaks during an honorary doctorate presentation ceremony at the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sports in Tashkent, Sunday. Korea Times Photo by Choi Won-suk
By Choi Won-suk
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — World Taekwondo President Choue Chung-won received an honorary doctorate in physical education on Sunday from the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sport, recognizing his role in promoting taekwondo worldwide and advancing sports diplomacy.
The ceremony, held on the opening day of the 2026 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, brought together World Taekwondo Council members, university leaders, faculty and students. Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sport President Rashid Matkarimov cited Choue’s long tenure at the helm of World Taekwondo and his humanitarian work through the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, which supports refugees and displaced communities through sport.
World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue writes a message in the guestbook during an honorary doctorate presentation ceremony at the Uzbekistan State University of Physical Education and Sports in Tashkent, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Choue thanked the university and noted the significance of receiving the degree at an institution that helped formalize taekwondo education in Uzbekistan, calling the country a fast-rising power in the sport with “a bright future” driven by young athletes.
Founded in 1955, the university has become a major training center for coaches and athletes in Central Asia. It has hosted a dedicated taekwondo program for more than a decade.