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Lee Bul, a celebrated South Korean contemporary artist, looks at the camera at Seoul photographer Jun Michael Park's direction in a portrait setting, at her studio in Goyang.

Portraits of Lee Bul: Storied South Korean Artist

July 27, 2025

My portraits of South Korean artist Lee Bul for The New York Times.

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[팩트체크] 뉴스포터 신혜리 사진저작권 소송 사실관계 반박
Portraits of Lee Jung-Jae: Korean Actor and Squid Game Star
Portraits of Ahn Gwi-ryeong: Defender of South Korean Democracy
Travel: Yangyang, Korea’s Premier Surf and Beach Destination

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Visuals by @junmichaelpark for @nytimes | At the e

Visuals by @junmichaelpark for @nytimes | At the end of May, I photographed and filmed two laid-off workers and one temporary worker, who have been staging mid-air protests, in Gumi and Seoul. The story highlighted the struggles of Korean workers and contract workers.

Both groups often face union-busting tactics, while temp workers additionally experience discrimination based on their job status. Although temp workers perform the same work and face the same risks as full-time ones, they earn less and receive fewer benefits. These kinds of labor issues were largely ignored during the recent snap presidential election that followed Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law and subsequent ouster.

One of the individuals I photographed, Kim Hyoung-soo, came down to the ground today after spending 97 days atop a CCTV tower in front of Hanwha HQ. Employed by an outsourcing company, Kim had worked for one of the company’s subsidiaries, the shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha’s outsourcing company and the temp workers’ union finally reached an agreement after bargaining since 2024.

The other two protesters continue with their fight. Park Jeong-hye, who was laid off by Korea Optical HighTech, has been holding out on the rooftop of her former workplace – a factory that was destroyed by a fire – in Gumi for 528 days. Her mid-air protest is the longest that has been recorded in Korean labor rights history.

Meanwhile, Ko Jin-soo, a chef who lost his job at a Seoul hotel, has already spent 126 days protesting on a traffic control structure in the middle of a metropolis. Both face difficult days and months ahead, as a blistering summer with heavy rain has been forecast.

(Copyediting by @marliesgabrieleprinzl)

한국어 설명은 댓글을 확인해주세요.

Visuals by @junmichaelpark | Vignettes from South

Visuals by @junmichaelpark | Vignettes from South Korea’s presidential election. The election took place six months after Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law. The Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung emerged as the winner and the country’s 21st president, bringing an end to the political turmoil and the absence of leadership.

I had the honor to be part of the team that led the New York Times’ live election coverage, capturing historic moments with photos and videos on the day before and the day of the election. On the day, I worked for a whopping 21 hours. 😅

For @nytimes.

사진, 영상: 박준수 @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer | 윤석열의 비상계엄 선포 이후 정확히 6개월만에 대통령 선거가 열렸습니다. 더불어민주당의 이재명 후보가 승리하여 21대 대통령으로 당선되면서, 그동안 계속 되어 온 정치적 혼란과 리더십 공백에 종지부를 찍었습니다.

대선 전날과 당일, 뉴욕타임즈의 실시간 보도 팀의 일원으로, 사진과 영상을 통해 역사의 순간을 기록할 수 있어 영광이었습니다. 대선 당일 날에는 무려 21시간을 일했네요. ㅎㅎ

On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Constitutional Court

On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously upheld Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment 122 days after the imposition of martial law. For the past four months, people of all generations have braved the cold and fought relentlessly to save the country’s democracy.

At last, spring has arrived.

For @nytimes.

사진: 박준수 @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer: 2025년 4월 4일 금요일, 헌법재판소는 재판관 8인의 만장일치 의견으로 피청구인 윤석열 대통령에 대한 파면을 선고했습니다. 비상계엄을 선포한 지 122일째 되는 날이었습니다. 지난 4개월 동안, 남녀노소를 초월한 수많은 시민들이 혹독한 추위를 견디며 민주주의를 지키기 위해 지치지 않고 싸웠습니다.

마침내, 봄이 왔습니다.

#southkorea #martiallaw #impeachment #democracy #YoonSukYeol #protest #photojournalism #nytassignment #윤석열 #윤석열파면 #비상계엄 #탄핵선고 #헌법재판소 #민주주의 #뉴욕타임스 #소니이미지갤러리 #junmichaelpark #포토그래퍼박준수

Photos by @junmichaelpark | On Thursday, I photogr

Photos by @junmichaelpark | On Thursday, I photographed Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and the country’s likely next president.

When President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Dec 3, 2024, Mr. Lee began live streaming, urging fellow citizens to “protect the assembly.” A few hours later, 190 lawmakers — most of them from the DP — successfully lifted the martial law decree, preventing the country from descending into deeper chaos and turmoil. His video has since received more than 3 million views. 
During the interview with @myhlee on foreign policy, Mr. Lee showed cautious pragmatism. He mentioned the difficulty of managing the balance between the U.S., China, and Japan. He expressed his support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to restart dialogue with North Korea and even mentioned the possibility of nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

If the Constitutional Court of Korea upholds President Yoon’s impeachment, the next presidential election will occur within 60 days. Mr. Lee, who is leading the polls, could become South Korea’s next president as early as May.

For @washingtonpost.

사진: 박준수 @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer | 지난 목요일, 미국 워싱턴포스트의 의뢰로 더불어민주당 이재명 대표를 촬영했습니다.

윤석열 대통령이 작년 12월 3일 밤 계엄령을 선포하자, 이재명 대표는 국회로 향하는 차 안에서 유튜브 생방송을 시작하여 시민들에게 국회로 모여달라고 호소했습니다. 불과 몇 시간 후, 그를 포함한 190명의 국회의원들은 계엄령 해제 요구 결의안을 성공적으로 통과시켜 대한민국이 더 큰 혼란과 어려움에 빠지는 것을 막았습니다.

워싱턴포스트의 도쿄/서울 지국장 미쉘 리 기자와의 인터뷰에서 이재명 대표는 신중하면서도 실용적인 태도를 보였습니다. 그는 미국과 중국, 일본 사이에서 균형을 유지하는 어려움을 언급하며, 북한과의 대화 재개를 위한 도널드 트럼프 전 미국 대통령의 노력을 지지한다고 밝혔고, 향후 노벨 평화상 후보 추천 가능성도 내비쳤습니다.

대한민국 헌법재판소가 윤 대통령의 탄핵을 인용하면 60일 이내에 차기 대통령 선거가 치러집니다. 이재명 대표는 현재까지의 대선후보 여론조사에서 선두를 달리고 있습니다.

@2_jaemyung @theminjoo

#southkorea #martiallaw #impeachment #nationalassembly #photojournalism #sonyalpha #대한민국 #국회 #계엄령 #탄핵 #더불어민주당 #이재명 #이재명대표 #소니이미지갤러리 #소니그래퍼 #junmichaelpark #포토그래퍼박준수

Photos by @junmichaelpark | Yesterday, the Nationa

Photos by @junmichaelpark | Yesterday, the National Assembly of South Korea successfully passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on its second attempt. Notably, twelve members of Yoon’s own People Power Party supported the motion, contributing to a total of 204 votes in favor of his removal from office.

Outside, in the freezing temperature, protesters cheered and celebrated ecstatically after Woo Won-sik, the Assembly Speaker, announced the passing of the impeachment motion. Many young women waved K-pop light sticks, sang and danced to K-pop protest songs, and savored their victory.

For @nytimes.

사진: 박준수 @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer | 어제 대한민국 국회는 윤석열 대통령에 대한 탄핵안을 두 번째로 상정하여 가결시켰습니다. 지난 주와 달리, 이번 표결에서는 국민의힘 소속 의원 12명이 찬성표를 던져 총 204표로 탄핵안이 통과되었습니다. 
우원식 국회의장이 탄핵안 가결을 발표하자, 추운 날씨 속에 결과를 기다리던 시민들은 환호하며 기쁨을 나눴습니다. 특히 젊은 여성들은 K팝 응원봉을 흔들고, 노래하고 춤추며 승리를 만끽했습니다.

#southkorea #martiallaw #impeachment #protest #nationalassembly #photojournalism #nytassignment #nytimes #대한민국 #국회 #계엄령 #탄핵 #탄핵안가결 #소니이미지갤러리 #소니그래퍼 #뉴욕타임즈 #junmichaelpark #포토그래퍼박준수

Photos by @junmichaelpark | Hundreds of thousands

Photos by @junmichaelpark | Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered outside the South Korean National Assembly on Saturday to demand President Yoon’s impeachment. The ruling People Power Party, except for three lawmakers, did not participate in the vote, which resulted in the motion failing to meet quorum by a margin of five votes.

After initial disappointment and anger subsided, many protesters—primarily young women—remained defiant in the freezing cold, continuing to pressure the PPP lawmakers by waving colorful lightsticks and singing and dancing along to popular K-pop songs.

For @nytimes.

사진: 박준수 @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer | 지난 토요일, 수십만 명의 시민들이 여의도 국회의사당 앞에 모여 윤 대통령의 탄핵을 촉구했습니다. 집권 여당인 국민의힘은 3명의 의원을 제외하고 투표에 참여하지 않았으며, 그 결과 탄핵안은 5표 차이로 정족수에 미달해 자동폐기 되었습니다.

초기의 실망과 분노가 가라앉은 후, 주로 젊은 여성들로 구성된 시위대는 살을 에는 추위 속에서도 포기하지 않고 저항을 이어갔습니다. 이들은 형형색색의 응원봉을 흔들며 유명 K팝 노래에 맞춰 춤추고 노래하며 국민의힘 의원들에게 압박을 가했습니다.

#soutkorea #martiallaw #impeachment #계엄령 #탄핵#nytimesassignment #뉴욕타임즈 #photojournalism #sonyalpha #소니이미지갤러리 #junmichaelpark #포토그래퍼박준수

Photos by @junmichaelpark | Four nights ago, lawma

Photos by @junmichaelpark | Four nights ago, lawmakers in South Korea’s National Assembly managed to overturn President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law within just a few hours. This declaration marked the first time such a measure was imposed in 44 years; the last instance was in 1980, which led to the Gwangju Democratic Uprising and a brutal massacre by the military junta.

Thankfully, bloodshed was avoided this time. It was due to a combination of luck and the courage of ordinary citizens, who flooded the streets to block military vehicles and prevent more soldiers from entering the Assembly. They used their smartphones to document the unfolding events and bear witness to history.

While a sense of normalcy was temporarily restored, there is a palpable undercurrent of anxiety throughout Korean society regarding the country’s uncertain future and the potential for President Yoon to attempt to impose martial law again.

Today, the coalition of opposition lawmakers plans to vote on impeaching Yoon and removing him from office. To succeed, they will need to secure at least eight votes from Yoon’s People Power Party.

For the Finnish daily @helsinginsanomat.

사진: 박준수 @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer | 4일 전, 대한민국 국회의원들은 윤석열 대통령의 계엄령 선포를 단 몇 시간만에 해제시키는데 성공했습니다. 마지막으로 계엄령이 선포된 것은 44년 전인 1980년으로, 군사정권이 광주민주화운동을 무력진압하고 시민을 학살하는 결과로 이어졌습니다.

이번에 유혈사태를 피할 수 있었던 것은 시민들의 용기와 약간의 행운이 더해진 결과였습니다. 늦은 밤, 수천 명의 시민들이 거리로 나와 군용차량의 통행을 방해하고, 더 많은 군인들이 국회로 진입하지 못하도록 막아섰습니다. 그들은 스마트폰을 들고 상황을 실시간으로 기록하면서 역사의 산 증인이 되었습니다.

덕분에 일시적으로나마 평범한 일상은 회복되었지만, 대한민국의 불확실한 미래와 윤 대통령이 또 다시 계엄령을 선포할 가능성에 대한 불안이 사회 전반에 감돌고 있습니다.

오늘 국회는 윤 대통령을 탄핵하고 직무를 정지시키는 표결을 진행합니다. 탄핵안이 통과되려면 집권여당인 국민의힘에서 최소 여덟 표를 확보해야 합니다.

Seoul, Nov 28, 2024.

Seoul, Nov 28, 2024.

<🌙나야, 반달가슴곰. 근데 이제 복원사업을 곁들인🐻> 이번 주말, 2021년부터 3년간

<🌙나야, 반달가슴곰. 근데 이제 복원사업을 곁들인🐻>

이번 주말, 2021년부터 3년간 기록한 반달가슴곰 복원사업에 대한 사진작업 중 23점을 선보입니다.

📅 일정: 2024.10.25.(금) ~ 10.27.(일)
⏰ 시간: 10:30 ~ 18:00
📍 장소: HDC아이파크몰 용산점 더가든 4층

장소가 야외이고 붐비는 곳이라 매일 오후 1시부터 4시까지 있으려고 합니다. 금요일에는 작품 설치 때문에 아침 일찍부터 오후 늦게까지 있을 예정입니다.

작년 말, 카메라 트랩 영상을 올리면서 “내년엔 꼭 야생의 곰을 찍고 말겠어!” 하고 야심차게 다짐했었는데요. 과연, 수많은 고난을 뚫고 그 꿈을 이뤘을까요? 궁금하시다면 전시장에서 직접 확인해 보세요! ㅎㅎ

이번 작업은 미국 내셔널지오그래픽 재단(National Geographic Society)의 지원을 받았습니다.

@koreanationalpark @knps9120 @knps_wildlife @insidenatgeo

* * *

This weekend, I am exhibiting 23 photographs from my three-year project on South Korea’s Asian Moon Bear restoration program.

📅 Dates: Fri, Oct 25, 2024 ~ Sun, Oct 27, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:30 ~ 18:00
📍Location: HDC i-Park Mall Yongsan, Seoul, 4F, The Garden

Since the venue is outdoors and busy with foot traffic, I will be there from 1 pm to 4 pm every day. On Friday, I’ll be there from early morning for the installation of the frames until late afternoon.

At the end of last year, I shared a video about my camera-trapping journey and ambitiously vowed, “Next year, I will capture a wild bear on camera!” But did I manage to overcome all the challenges and achieve that dream? To find out, you’ll have to come see the exhibition! 😊

This work was supported by National Geographic Society. Additional storytelling and curatorial support by @marliesgabrieleprinzl.

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