Dear Respected Members of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society,

I would like to express my heart-felt gratitude and thanks to all members of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society who have given me the great honor and responsibility as President under the Korean Spinal Neurosurgical Society for a year. I feel deeply responsible for my assumption of the significant position, and I always do my best to speak for the rights and development of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society.

As we all know, the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society has more than 1,300 regular members. Our society is divided into six committees, and has grown to become extremely active. This can be measured by the number of achievements we have fulfilled. Our society¡¯s activities have not been limited to academic work solely within our nation, but we have also established international societies such as the Asia-Spine Society, and the Asia Pacific Cervical Spine Society. So, we have experienced a continuous growth cycle and grown rapidly to become one of the respected medical societies in the Asia-Pacific region.

I trust that all members of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society have acted in ways to successfully develop our institution. Once again, I appreciate all of the effort you have made, and the passion given to your work. However, despite our greatest efforts, sometimes the dedication we give in treating our patients has been somewhat decried by institutional power. Moreover, the healthcare environment in Korea is having difficulty these days.

During my presidency, I have sought to establish the correct principles for the best treatment of patients, as well as do my best for the rights and development of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society. To achieve this, communicating effectively with all members of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society has been the most important thing of all, as well as encouraging self-examination to change and improve systems when appropriate.

It should be emphasized that treatment of spinal diseases has been converted to the concept of combined treatment, something that makes no distinction between neurosurgery and orthopedics all over the world. To address this situation, I will institute a high-quality spine specialists system, or try to make a foundation for a more mutual and open exchange of opinions between our society and the Orthopedics Spinal Society, and to merge into one large Society to improve the treatment of patients with spine diseases. I will also do my best to operate our society to the satisfaction of all members.

All members of the Korean Spinal Neurosurgery Society: always remember that the door to our society is open. At anytime your proposals for our society and its future improvement will be very welcome. The board of directors, myself included, try very hard to reflect your opinions in all our outcomes. I am asking you to keep watching our society¡¯s activities, as your constructive criticism and involvement will be very helpful.