my timesThe Korea Times
wschoi

Choi Won-suk

Korea Times Photo Reporter

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.

Go to EmailGo to URL

Read more

News

Mattel unveils new BTS doll collection

The American toy manufacturer took to Twitter to show off the new dolls. Mattel, via Twitter BTS conquered the 'Billboard' 200 albums chart twice last year with their albums, 'Love Yourself: Tear' and 'Love Yourself: Answer.' Mattel is also releasing a special deck of BTS UNO playing cards to accompany the release of the figurines. The dolls will reportedly be available for purchase in September. The group will be embarking on their 'Love Yourself: Speak Yourself' tour later this year. (Wibbitz via Reuters)

Mar 27, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Mattel unveils new BTS doll collection
Darkroom

Spring has sprung

 A Jiayang steam train runs on a narrow gauge railway in cole flower fields in Qianwei County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2019. The old-fashioned steam train, running on a narrow gauge railway in Qianwei County, serves mainly in sightseeing, but as increasing number of tourists visit the county in recent years, the train itself has become an attraction providing a journey of reminiscence. Xinhua Blooming flowers are seen at rock creek park in Washington, U.S., March 26, 2019. Reuters Blooming cherry trees are seen across the street from the White House in Washington, U.S., March 26, 2019. Reuters Fields with daffodils in bloom, Lisse, Netherlands, 26 March 2019. EPA A woman takes pictures of cherry blossoms on a bridge in Tokyo, Japan, 26 March 2019. Cherry blossoms in Tokyo flowered on 21 March, Japan Meteorological Agency said. Temperatures in the central region of the Japanese capital rose over 15 degrees Celsius, which is usual for the time of the year. Cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom in central Tokyo at this end of thi

Mar 27, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Spring has sprung
Darkroom

World Water Day 2019

A local cools off as people collect water from an underground water main pipeline in Caracas, Venezuela March 12, 2019. Reuters Water drops from a faucet as residents wait for trucks bearing water to return in Mandaluyong, metropolitan Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Parts of metropolitan Manila are suffering from water shortage due to the continued dip of levels at the La Mesa dam as the country enters the dry season and the onset of El Nino which causes below normal rainfall conditions. AP People line up with drums to collect water flowing down from the Wuaraira Repano mountain, also called "El Avila", in Caracas on March 13, 2019. AFP Virgenia Francisco washes cloths with her 6-month-old son on her back, with collected rain water after a strong cyclone hit in Beira, Mozambique, on March 20, 2019. - Five days after tropical cyclone Idai cut a swathe through Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the confirmed death toll stood at more than 300 and hundreds of thousands of lives were at risk, officials said. AFP Residents of Addition Hills in Madaluyon

Mar 21, 2019By Choi Won-suk
World Water Day 2019
News

K-pop singer embroiled in sex scandal arrives at court

South Korean singer and television celebrity, Jung Joon-young, arrived at Seoul Central District Court on Thursday (March 21) morning to attend a hearing to review an arrest warrant request against him.Jung, who is accused of illicitly taping and sharing sex videos said he had committed "an inexcusable crime" an admitted all his charges before the court hearing started. The court decision on the arrest warrant is expected to come out later Thursday.Singer Lee Seung-hyun, 28, better known by the stage name Seungri, is also suspected of paying for prostitutes for foreign businessmen to drum up investment in his business.Lee and Jung were both members of online chat groups where secret sex tapes were shared, and men joked about drugging and raping women, the broadcaster SBS said. (Reuters)

Mar 21, 2019By Choi Won-suk
K-pop singer embroiled in sex scandal arrives at court
News

South Koreans fight smog their own way: with pork

Whenever dust particles hang thick in the air in South Korea, sales of pork rise due to an old belief. Has urban pollution got you down?South Koreans say they have a unique solution for dusty days: a sizzling plate of pork barbeque.15-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, HAN DONG-JAE, SAYING:"My mom told me that pork helps - and pork belly is my favorite food - so I eat more pork when it's smoggy like today."An old belief in South Korea goes - that pork is good for smog.Coal miners thought all the oil would help the dust slide down their throat.Though health experts say there's no scientific rationale behind that belief.A Seoul doctor told Reuters you should, instead, wear a face mask or to just avoid going outside altogether.But still, on especially hazy days this year pork sales in the country have seen big spikes.Gettyimagesbank49-YEAR-OLD SOUTH KOREAN, KIM DONG-WOOK, SAYING:"It feels like oil from the meat washes away the dust in my throat."South Korea faces a battle against unhealthy air.A lot of it's from cars and coal-fired power plants but it's not j

Mar 21, 2019By Choi Won-suk
South Koreans fight smog their own way: with pork
News

Seoul tries flashy fix for its 'smartphone zombies'

A city in South Korea has installed flickering lights and laser beams at a road crossing to warn “smartphone zombies” to look up and drivers to slow down, in the hope of preventing accidents. Grace Lee reports.South Korea has a 'smombie' epidemic.That's short for 'smartphone zombie,' a word used for pedestrians glued to their phones in local media.They say they're often seen bumping into people, poles or worse.That's why the government has come up with this: a 'smombie' warning system.It's a combination of an app, a laser beam and some flickering lights.The beamed message says: "Wait! A car is coming."Photo illustration of a person with smartphone in a hand after accident on a pedestrian crossing. GettyimagesbankSENIOR RESEARCHER AT KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, KIM JONG-HOON, SAYING:"When the radar sensor and thermal imaging camera detects a vehicle and a pedestrian - it'll trigger the flashing lights on the road, and the smart phone app sends a warning message too."The system was designed by government engineers a

Mar 20, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Seoul tries flashy fix for its 'smartphone zombies'
Darkroom

Syria's civil war since 2011

This picture taken on March 13, 2019 shows a mortar being fired by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the frontline of fighting to expel the Islamic State (IS) group from the town of Baghouz, in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor.  AFP This picture taken on March 17, 2019, shows a destroyed mosque near the remains of an Islamic State (IS) group jihadists' camp close to the village of Baghouz in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor. AFP Smoke rises from the last besieged neighborhood in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria March 17, 2019. Reutetrs A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) walks carrying a machine gun at a position close to the camp of Baghouz where remaining Islamic State (IS) group fighters and their families are holding out in the last position controlled by IS, awaiting to advance on them in the countryside of the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor on March 17, 2019. AFP Residents run from a fire at a gasoline and oil shop in Aleppo's Bustan Al-Qasr neighbourhood, Syria October 20, 2013. Reuters S

Mar 20, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Syria's civil war since 2011
News

'Clear similarities' between Ethiopian and Lion Air crashes

There are "clear similarities" between Indonesia's Lion Air and Ethiopian Air crashes, according to the Ethiopian government.AFP reports that Ethiopia's transport minister, Dagmawit Moges, told a press conference on Sunday that flight data recorders from Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 have been recovered in good condition. So far the data extracted shows similarities between the Ethiopian Airlines crash and the Lion Air crash that occurred in October 2018.According to the AFP, both aircrafts experienced irregular climbs and descents as well as fluctuations in altitude before crashing minutes after take off. Experts also identified issues with the plane's automated Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, which stops the plane from stalling.According to the New York Times, new evidence suggests that the stabilizers on the Ethiopian Airlines flight were tilted upwards and forcing down the nose of the plane.Flight recordings and cockpit voice recordings from the Ethiopian Airlines flight have been sent to France's air safety agency for further analysis. They are working in collab

Mar 19, 2019By Choi Won-suk
News

Taiwan's ban on plastic

The island nation of Taiwan is all set to implement a complete ban on plastic by 2030.According to Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration, the government will limit the use of plastic by implementing a plastic ban in phases, and is encouraging the public to use reusable straws and bags to help combat plastic pollution.Starting later this year, stores are to be prohibited from providing in-store customers with single-use straws.In 2020, stores will face fines if they provide customers with disposable utensils. Stores will also be restricted from providing plastic straws for take-outs.Customers could choose to purchase plastic straws or bags if they are willing to pay extra to the store till 2025.By the year 2030, Taiwan's plastic ban will be fully implemented, with stores completely banned from providing any plastic bags, disposable utensils, plastic cups, bottles and straws. (Next Animation via Reuters)A handout photo made available by Greenpeace shows rubbish floating along Verde Island Passage, Batangas City, Philippines, 07 March 2019 (issued 12 March 2019). According to

Mar 19, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Taiwan's ban on plastic
News

Sex, lies and video: K-pop world rocked by sex scandals

South Korea police are questioning two K-pop stars, including boyband Big Bang's Seungri, over allegations of sex tapes, secret chat about rape, and deals facilitated by prostitutes. A growing sex scandal is shaking up the world of K-pop.Seungri, a member of boy band, Big Bang, arrived at a Seoul police station for questioning on Thursday (March 14), as he and other SouthKorean celebrities face growing allegations of sex tapes, prostitutes and a secret chat about rape.K-POP BOY BAND BIG BANG'S MEMBER SEUNGRI SAYING:"I'm sorry to everyone who has been hurt. I will face the investigation and answer questions truthfully."The singer, whose real name is Lee Seung Hyun, has been accused of what's called 'sexual bribery.'Seungri bows in apology to the public in front of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu on Thursday. He said little to journalists as he made his way inside the building. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukPolice say he provided prostitutes for foreign investors in his private club though he denies the allegations.According to local media, he was also a member of

Mar 19, 2019By Choi Won-suk
Sex, lies and video: K-pop world rocked by sex scandals
  • Seungri to postpone military duty; Jung hands out 'golden phone'
previous page
3637383940
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.