Dear my members of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.

I am greatly honored and grateful for the efforts of our revered members in support of the further advancement of our academy. As the newly appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees beginning January 1, 2021, I am aware of and anxiously anticipate the heavy responsibility for advancing the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.

Since its foundation in 1953, the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases has demonstrated a higher level of academic accomplishment for the development of medical policies, including significant academic achievements based on the amity and harmony of all members.

The current status of our academy could be attributed to the efforts and devotion of our members including the previous chairmen of our academy and board members who led it. Going forward, I will strive to operate our academy by focusing on the following five main activities.

First, the academic advancement of our society through academic activities and research needs to be prioritized. For this, an international interchange with the overseas societies of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, including those in the Asian-Pacific region, will be promoted. The nexus between academically related domestic societies and our academy will also be consolidated to provide our members with opportunities for further research. In addition, various academic symposiums and workshops will be provided for private clinicians and medical personnel working in the field of respiratory diseases.

Second, I will be focusing on the further advancement and globalization of our academy by hosting APSR 2022. I am sure that the successful hosting of APSR 2022 and the various related activities will ultimately lead to the advancement of our academy.

Third, I will try to upgrade our journal Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases (TRD) to a global level. Upgrading our journal to one of global recognition, which we have strived for, will set the cornerstone for the further advancement of our academy. For the global recognition of TRD, a separate organization comprised of experienced specialists will be installed and function regardless of the tenure of the executive board members of our academy.

Fourth, the organization of the executive board will be expanded for further progress of the academy. Board members with a variety of expertise are needed in accordance with the development and increasing scale of our academy. The most appropriate personnel with the corresponding expertise will be appointed and a strong support system will be prepared for them.

Fifth, amity and communication between the members of our academy will be encouraged. Recently, amity and communication between members have decreased due to the diversification and specialization of the academic disciplines. Further, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has forced academic conferences to be canceled and transformed into non-contact online events. Thus, all members are encouraged to more fully participate in the operation of our academy through active communication between the members.

The great inherited tradition of amity and harmony of our academy will be preserved and further promoted to cultivate our academy as a global society. Our academy has made remarkable progress thanks to the genuine concern and active efforts of our members. As it has long been sustained, I am looking forward to the continued support of our members as our academy becomes a global society.

Thank you very much.