Greetings from the President
Dear Members of the Korean Pediatric Society,
Warm greetings to all of you.
I am Won Seop Kim from Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, and as of November 2024, I have assumed the position of the newly appointed President of the Korean Pediatric Society.
First and foremost, I extend my sincere gratitude to all members for entrusting me with this role. I also express my deepest appreciation and respect to the former president, board members, and all colleagues who have dedicated themselves over many years to advancing our society.
Currently, the field of pediatrics faces an unprecedented crisis due to prolonged conflicts in healthcare policy and a deepening workforce shortage. Low birth rates, compounded by an insufficient medical fee structure, have led to a significant drop in residency applications for pediatrics, intensifying challenges across numerous clinical settings. In particular, if pediatrics, an essential branch responsible for critical care, is not sustained, it poses a substantial threat to the health and safety of future generations.
In response to these pressing issues, I am committed to making the improvement of our medical practice and training environment my top priority during my term, in collaboration with our current Executive Director. We will continue to urge the government for active support in this endeavor. Our focus will be on creating an environment where not only the current residents but also those considering pediatrics can learn and grow to their fullest potential.
Furthermore, we will strive to elevate the academic authority of our society and to advance our conferences, strengthening the role of pediatric specialists. We aim to broaden our social engagement in promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents.
I ask all of you to remain resilient amid these challenging conditions and to join us in forging a bright future for pediatrics. I am confident that, through our collective efforts, we will restore our discipline and clinical environment to their rightful place.
Thank you very much.
November 2024
Won Seop Kim
the 64th president of The Korean Pediatric Society
Greetings from the Chairman of the Board/CEO
Dear Esteemed Members of the Korean Pediatric Society,
I am Dr. Han-Suk Kim, the 19th Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Korean Pediatric Society, as well as a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Seoul National University College of Medicine. At this pivotal time, essential healthcare issues, stemming from ongoing challenges within our pediatric medical system, have become central to public discourse. In these demanding times, I would like to extend my heartfelt respect and gratitude to each of you, dedicated as you are to safeguarding the health of our nation’s children.
With an 80-year legacy, the Korean Pediatric Society remains steadfast in its mission to protect the health and lives of children and adolescents, while striving to enhance the well-being of children and their families and contribute positively to society. Faced with global challenges such as declining birth rates and rapid demographic changes, our Society’s commitment to these core values has never been more important.
In my tenure as Chairman, I aim to uphold our esteemed traditions while actively pursuing new avenues for advancing pediatrics and adolescent medicine in Korea and beyond.
Advancing Scholarly Excellence
As part of our commitment to academic growth, I will work closely with our specialized divisions to strengthen our academic conferences, expanding integrated sessions that promote collaborative exchange. We will also broaden international sessions to bolster Korea’s academic leadership within Asia, helping our field’s achievements gain broader global recognition.
Innovating Educational Programs
Our residents are the future of Korean pediatrics. To support their development into highly skilled pediatric specialists, I will further enhance our resident training programs. In anticipation of future challenges, including a potential decline in the number of pediatric specialists, I will also prioritize expanding Continuing Medical Education (CME) to address emerging needs and integrate AI and IT advancements. Expanding our online education platforms will complement face-to-face training, ensuring a diversified and comprehensive learning experience for all our members.
Strengthening Advocacy for Pediatric Healthcare
Our Society will continue to elevate its role as an advocate for pediatric health policies. We are committed to advancing essential health rights legislation for children, proposing initiatives that improve pediatricians’ quality of life, enhancing the support system for critical and emergency pediatric care, and advocating for better working conditions to create tangible and meaningful change in pediatric healthcare.
Building a Sustainable Operational Framework
To adapt to the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, I will establish a “Future Task Force” to explore key initiatives such as corporate structure development, annual membership contributions, and new revenue models. This process will incorporate diverse member input to ensure our Society’s future direction reflects our collective vision. Strengthening ties with relevant organizations and enhancing communication with our local branches will also be a priority, ensuring that our Society functions as a cohesive, organic whole.
To All Members of the Korean Pediatric Society,
As a fellow pediatrician, I am deeply proud of the value and role our Society holds in Korea. Throughout my term, I am fully committed to ensuring that we fulfill our responsibilities and make lasting contributions to pediatric healthcare. Together, I look forward to building a society where children can grow up healthy, happy, and thriving.
Thank you for your continued dedication and engagement in the activities of our Society.
November 2024
Han-Suk Kim, MD. Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board/CEO, the Korean Pediatric Society
