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Greeting
Greetings from the President
Dear Esteemed Members of the Korean Pediatric Society,
Greetings,
I am the 65th president of the Korean Pediatric Society (KPS), Kyeongbae Park, and a professor in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the College of Medicine of Soonchunhyang University. I would like to extend my gratitude to all members for electing me and confirming my presidency.
Founded in 1945, KPS celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2025. It stands as one of the most historic and academically indispensable medical societies. Past presidents and chairmen of the board, as well as all members, have come together to navigate the rapid transformations of modern Korean society and grow KPS in scale. Moreover, they have actively pursued international engagement, leading to meaningful academic advancements. I would like to express profound respect and appreciation for their devoted efforts.
Today, pediatric and adolescent medicine faces considerable challenges. Although medical education and training have begun to regain some stability with the resolution of the conflict between physicians and the government, the partial return of residents, and the return of medical students to school, the absence of residents in tertiary and teaching hospitals has placed a growing clinical burden on attending specialists. This burden has contributed to the departure of supervising specialists responsible for education, training, and research, leading to unfavorable conditions for academic advancement. Other ongoing issues, such as the extremely low birth rates and the decline in residency application rates due to low healthcare reimbursement rates, greatly threaten public health as they continue to weaken the cultivation of specialists who will be responsible for the healthcare of children and adolescents-the future of our nation. Additionally, the lack of resources to educate and conduct research in pediatric and adolescent medicine raises concerns about stagnation in academic development.
As president, I will support the successful implementation of the following initiatives devised by Chairman Han-Suk Kim: 1. Strengthen academic activities, 2. innovate educational projects, 3. build capacity to propose pediatric healthcare policies, and 4. establish a sustainable operational system for KPS. Support will also be provided for communication and collaboration between the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences and its subspecialties and subsocieties to promote mutual advancement. The voices of tertiary hospitals, teaching hospitals, children's hospitals, and primary care clinics will be heard to facilitate improvements in clinical workplaces and residency training conditions. Furthermore, efforts will be made together with the current executives and board members to secure governmental policy support to address various ongoing issues. Medical school curricula need to be reviewed to foster greater interest in pediatric and adolescent medicine, and additional efforts are needed to encourage greater student participation in our Society's activities
As president serving in the second year of the current executive board's term, I will be sincerely committed to ensuring the implementation of the initiatives that could not be implemented during the first year due to conflicts between physicians and the government and political turbulence. I express deep respect and gratitude to all executive members and former President Wonseop Kim for their dedicated efforts in organizing academic conferences amidst very challenging circumstances.
I kindly ask for the continued interest and active participation of all members, and I look forward to a brighter future in which pediatric and adolescent medicine continues to advance.
Thank you.
November 2025
Kyeongbae Park
65th 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