$SU_q(3)$ corepresentations and bivariate $q$-Krawtchouk polynomials

The matrix elements of unitary $SU_q(3)$ corepresentations, which are analogues of the symmetric powers of the natural repesentation, are shown to be the bivariate $q$-Krawtchouk orthogonal polynomials, thus providing an algebraic interpretation of these polynomials in terms of quantum groups.