The 17-year-old South Korean triumphed at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul by scoring a combined total of 181.79 points from her short programme and free skate.

Choi, who earned the Asian Winter Games title in Sapporo earlier this year, was followed by Kim Ha-nul on 169.15.

The top three was completed by An So-hyun, who scored 162.44.

The convincing win gives Choi a positive start to South Korea’s Olympic trials as skaters aim to claim berths to compete in front of a home crowd at next year’s Games.

Choi, who faced a tough time preparing after her mother died in June, will head the standings heading into the final two qualifiers.

A second competition will be held by the Korea Skating Union in December before the National Championships in January.

Combined scores from all three competitions will decide who represents the country on home ice in Pyeongchang in February.

South Korea has only secured qualification in the women's singles event so far, with Choi having earned the host nation two berths by ending 10^th at the World Championships last year.

However, there is a final chance for countries to gain quota places at the ISU Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf in Germany between September 27 and 30.

Six places can still be won in each of the men's and women's singles competitions, with five available in pairs and four in ice dancing.

Three-time South Korean champion Lee June-hyoung finished first in the men’s event at the Skating Korea Challenge by ending on 228.72.

He was followed by Kim Jin-seo, who scored 223.49, while Cha Jun-hwan ended third on 206.92.

Cha was believed to have aggravated hip and ankle injuries in the event, with local reports stating the 15-year-old was taken to hospital afterwards.

Pyeongchang 2018 will take place between February 9 and 25.