Dr. Park Jung-yul Takes Office as President of the World Medical Association

Rotterdam General Assembly Confirms New Leadership. The official inauguration took place at the international gathering in the Netherlands, placing a South Korean medical leader at the helm of the global organization for only the second time. Park Jung-yul, Chairman of the International Cooperation Committee of the Korean Medical Association (Professor of Neurosurgery at Korea University Anam Hospital), attended the 77th World Medical Association General Assembly held in Rotterdam, Netherlands on the 9th.World Medical Association, WMA) He officially took office as the WMA president at the general assembly.

The Korean Medical Association has continuously participated in major discussions of the global medical community since joining the WMA in 1949. President Park Jung-yul became the second member of the Korean Medical Association to assume the presidency of the WMA, following the late former KMA President Moon Tae-joon, who served in 1985.

World Medical Association Activity History and Major Milestones

President Park Jung-yul served as a WMA director from 2018 and chaired the Finance and Planning Committee from 2019 to 2023. Subsequently, he served as the Chair of the WMA Council from 2023, discussing key agendas such as medical ethics, professional autonomy, and public health, and was elected as the next president at the 76th WMA General Assembly in 2025.

At this general assembly, Chairman of the International Cooperation Committee Park Jung-yul, Vice President Seo Jung-sung, International Director Park Soo-hyun, and Public Relations and Policy Director Lee Han-kyul Korean Medical Association Attended as a delegation. During the general assembly, the delegation discussed major medical issues with representatives of medical associations from various countries and explored ways for international cooperation.

Six Key Priorities to be Implemented During the Term

Chairman Park, through his inaugural address I have taken on the role of chairman with a deep sense of honor and immense responsibility.He presented six key priorities for his term: strengthening primary care, protecting next-generation doctors, establishing human-centered ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI), responding to the climate crisis and disasters, safeguarding medical neutrality, and expanding member participation.

mudfish We will cooperate with medical organizations in each country to protect the professional autonomy of physicians, improve working conditions, and bridge the healthcare gap.He stated. In particular We must never back down from the fundamental principles of human dignity, patient rights, and professional autonomy and independence.He emphasized.

Future International Cooperation and Expected Effects

Kim Taek-woo, President of the Korean Medical Association, is currently leading cooperation and solidarity among medical associations in the Asia-Oceania region as the President of the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO). With President Park Jung-yul taking office as the President of the World Medical Association (WMA), it is expected that the foundation for the Korean Medical Association to expand international cooperation and contribute to major discussions in the global medical community will be further strengthened.

Chairman Kim Taek-woo Chairman Park Jung-yul’s inauguration as President of the World Medical Association is the fruit of the trust and efforts built by the Korean Medical Association and the Korean medical community in the international community. The Korean Medical Association will further expand exchanges and cooperation with the global medical community, including Asia and Oceania, and actively share the expertise and experience of the Korean medical community with the international community.He stated.

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