Dear Esteemed Members of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand,

As we welcome the New Year of 2026, I am deeply honored to assume the distinguished role of the 33rd President of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand, a society that has carried forward a proud tradition of 44 years marked by outstanding academic achievements. While this appointment is a profound personal honor, I am keenly aware of the great responsibility that accompanies the task of guiding our Society toward a promising future.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest respect and sincere gratitude to the former Presidents and executive officers who, through their devoted efforts under challenging circumstances, elevated our Society to a world-class academic organization. I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all members who have steadfastly pursued excellence in their respective roles.

Since 2024, we have endured an unprecedented period of turbulence marked by the so-called "medical policy crisis." Amid uncertainty and disruption in clinical practice, our members remained steadfast at their patients' sides, faithfully fulfilling their responsibilities in education and training. I bow in deep gratitude for your dedication and sacrifice. As the healthcare system now gradually enters a phase of stabilization, this moment represents a critical turning point at which our Society must transform adversity into momentum and prepare for a new leap forward. During my term, I will focus on the following three core values.

First, we will expand our academic horizons through harmony and integration.

Hand surgery, founded upon the two pillars of orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery, possesses a unique identity that is our Society's greatest strength. I will strive to foster an open, transparent, and dynamic academic environment in which scholarly insights and clinical experiences from both disciplines can be freely exchanged and seamlessly integrated. Through this, we will create a synergy that is uniquely our own.

Second, we will serve as a steadfast foundation for the growth of future generations.

Residents and young physicians represent the sustainable future of our Society. We will systematize and enhance the quality of our educational programs to ensure that they can develop into hand surgeons of the highest international caliber. Providing a fertile ground of opportunity where young physicians can pursue their aspirations and fully realize their potential will be regarded as our Society's foremost responsibility.

Third, we will build a future-oriented academic culture that leads technological innovation.

Alongside the advancement of surgical techniques, the emergence of artificial intelligence and surgical robotics heralds a profound scientific paradigm shift in medicine. By proactively embracing these changes, we will innovate the structure and content of our scientific meetings so that our Society may stand at the forefront of scientific revolution. We will listen attentively to the creative ideas and voices of our members and work together to shape the blueprint of future medicine.

Dear Esteemed Members,

The Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand is a community that belongs to us all. If we move forward together with mutual respect and trust, we will be able to overcome any challenge and soar toward an even greater future. I humbly ask for your continued support, encouragement, and candid counsel.

As we begin the New Year, I sincerely wish that health and happiness abound in your families and in all that you do.

Thank you.

December 21, 2025
Jae Won Yang President, the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand