Greetings!

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dr. Yong Chan Lee, and have been appointed as the 64th President of the Korean Society of Gastroenterology (KSG) with honor. It is my great honor to serve as the Society’s President for 2025~2026, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to your help and support. I realized the profound sense of responsibility to take this role. As the parent society in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology research and academic activities in Korea, the KSG has long played a leading role in research, diagnosis, treatment, and education. These achievements would not have been possible without the continued interest, dedication, and support of our devoted members.

Today, the medical community is entering an era of profound transformation, indeed. Although the medical conflict in Korea nearly over the past two years has almost come to an end, we continue to face the major challenges of establishing a new paradigm such as changes in residency training and adoption of AI in practice. It is time to build a solid academic foundation through social consensus and institutional reform so that young physicians can study and conduct research in gastroenterology and hepatology within an academic environment. The KSG must also develop a sound training and education system that appropriately reflects the opinions and needs of its members.

In addition, we are witnessing a rapid paradigm shift in diagnosis and treatment with the introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and molecular analytical tools. Having said that, the KSG must take a proactive step to adapting to the rapidly evolving medical environment, effectively applying its expertise and creativity. In response to these major shifts in healthcare, we will create an open platform for mutual understanding through active academic exchange, constructive dialogue, and prompt, transparent decision-making. At the same time, the KSG will continue to pursue patient-centered medicine even amid the rapid advancement of science and technology in medicine.

In the coming year, together with the board of directors under the leadership by president, Hyun-Soo Kim, I will do my best to ensure that the mission and vision of the Society are fully realized in clinical practice. I will work to further strengthen the KSG’s standing as the parent society of several gastroenterology and hepatology related societies, contribute meaningfully to the development of Korean gastroenterology, and solidify our position as a leading academic society in Asia.

I sincerely wish all of you good health and well-being. I kindly ask for your continued support and encouragement so that the KSG may continue to grow and advance together with its members.

Thank you.

Yong Chan Lee
Chairman of the Korean Society of Gastroenterology

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the esteemed members of the Korean Society of Gastroenterology (KSG), who have led the Society with integrity and shown sincere dedication and affection for our Society. I am truly honored and privileged to have this opportunity to share the future direction of the Society, including our plans and goals for the next two years. Founded in 1961, the Society celebrates its 64th anniversary this year. Over the past six decades, it has served as a cornerstone of Korean medicine and has grown into one of the most prestigious academic medical societies in the nation. This remarkable development would not have been possible without the strong spirit of solidarity demonstrated by the eighteen council members under the leadership of our first chairman, Dr. Dong-ik Kim. Throughout our history, the dedication and passion of pioneering physicians have continually breathed new life into the Society, enabling it to overcome every challenge it has faced. To ensure that the Korean Society of Gastroenterology continues to fulfill its vital role as the parent organization of subspecialty societies in this field, I intend to pursue our shared vision through three main directions during my term.

First, every activity of a parent society must be founded on compassion and genuine concern for others.

To harness the power of such compassion, the Society must be guided by authentic, empathetic governance. Therefore, we will appoint executives and organize committees based on the principles of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all members are fairly represented and can participate with a strong sense of belonging. Each committee will be granted substantive authority so that members can respond actively and responsibly to key issues. We will also incorporate the perspectives of younger generations, including millennial and Gen Z physicians, by inviting them to serve on committees. In addition, we will explore programs that create synergies with other gastroenterology-related societies to expand joint initiatives. Notably, we will establish a “Diversity & Well-Being Committee” to integrate diversity-centered membership management into our developmental framework, and we will launch the “KSG Wisdom Academy” to enhance the quality of life of our members.

Second, as the parent society in gastroenterology, the KSG must provide leadership.

This leadership should be demonstrated particularly in education, insurance policy, and healthcare policy. It is our unique mission and responsibility to nurture future gastroenterologists through a proven and systematic training program. To this end, we will strengthen the Society’s online platform to expand real-time educational opportunities, including standardized training programs, procedural video content, and sessions on AI and digital healthcare. We will also enhance member services—such as guidance on medical law—so that members may truly feel the warmth and support of the Society. In particular, we will form a task force on subspecialty training and management to refine the fellowship curriculum and tailor it to diverse needs. In collaboration with the Korean Association of Internal Medicine, we will systematically reorganize the fellowship training program and establish a long-term vision for the subspecialty system. Furthermore, we will proactively support initiatives that enable the Society to take the lead in shaping insurance and healthcare policies.

Finally, as a parent society, the KSG must pursue continuous development.

A strong foundation for high-quality academic research is the key competitive advantage of any academic society. Therefore, we will continue advancing our academic platforms, focusing on internationalization and multidisciplinarity—principles that have guided us since 1968. We will provide stable and financially sound support for major international meetings such as Korea Digestive Disease Week (KDDW) and the Seoul International Digestive Disease Symposium (SIDDS), thereby creating opportunities for collaborative international research with leading societies abroad. We hope these collaborations will lead to national research projects and policy innovations. Moreover, we will build a global network of Korean gastroenterologists to showcase our research capabilities internationally and expand overseas training and research opportunities for young doctors. We will further strengthen the multidisciplinary networks established by past chairmen and presidents, promoting convergence research in gastroenterology. In cooperation with related societies in basic, translational, and clinical research, we aim to advance omics-based precision medicine, reinforce innovative research teams in big data, AI, and digital health, and develop representative models of public-interest clinical research that genuinely improve population health.

The KSG now stands at the threshold of a new era that demands both innovation and resilience. Drawing on more than sixty years of accumulated experience, we must actively adapt to the rapid technological and environmental changes in medicine. Together with all our members, I will strive to make the KSG an academic society where scientific excellence is harmonized with compassionate, patient-centered care. Achieving better health services for patients, an open academic ecosystem for researchers, and a strong educational foundation for the next generation will require the active participation of every member. I therefore ask for your generous advice and support, so that our Society may continue to grow and fulfill its mission as the true parent society in gastroenterology, grounded in both warmth and excellence.

Thank you.

Hyun-Soo Kim
President of the Korean Society of Gastroenterology