Dear esteemed members of the Korean Diabetes Association,

Greetings! This is Bong-Soo Cha, 13th Chairman of the Korean Diabetes Association.

As we have reached 2024, the Year of the Blue Dragon, it is my wish that health and joy fill the homes and lives of our members. Along with fulfilling my duties as chairman of the Korean Diabetes Association and welcoming the new year, this year will also serve as an opportunity for me to take up the challenge of showing my passion for our association. Even amidst the crisis that came about due to the disruption of communication that followed the spread of COVID-19, the affection and devotion shown by our members has ensured that the Korean Diabetes Association has not lost any of its unity or momentum. This has further solidified our association’s reputation and tradition of being the best in this great country. For my part, I will do my utmost as chairman to work for making the advancement of our association into a reality with all my heart and soul.

Balance and Harmony of the Korean Diabetes Association
Achieving harmony in diversity is said to be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. As chairman, I will aim for a Korean Diabetes Association that is shaped by its diverse members in various colorful ways. Above all, I will work on enhancing regional communication. In working to foster harmonious coexistence and mutual support, I will work to establish avenues of support through active exchange between the main organization and its branches. I will also make way for a space where both long-time and newer members of varying perspectives can freely exchange their opinions with one another, as both can better thrive by pulling together. Building upon this, in order to establish links of cooperation and collaboration between diverse healthcare professionals, members from various medical fields will be able to take part in making use of their strengths in achieving this.

The Unrivaled Competitiveness of the Korean Diabetes Association
I will also strive to enhance the global influence of both the International Conference of Diabetes and Metabolism (ICDM) and the Diabetes and Metabolism Journal (DMJ) under the Korean Diabetes Association. Rather than merely serving as a hub for academic conferences in the Asian region, I will work with various international institutions to elevate ICDM into a global society where researchers from around the world can gather and participate. In addition, I will work to further enhance the academic status of the DMJ. In order to enhance its competitiveness, I will firmly establish the DMJ’s financial and managerial framework. What’s more, I will work to ensure that various healthcare workers can receive substantial assistance in patient care by operating programs with a long-term perspective effectively, including the development of detailed treatment guidelines and relevant policies.

Innovation in Medical Care and Fostering the Next Generation
In order to cultivate future generations in this field, it is essential to become institutionally recognized for expertise in diabetes treatment. I will work to develop a Korean diabetes management model and establish a clinical foundation that can be utilized in national policies and systems. I will also craft a long-term plan to strengthen the standing of diabetes specialists, including establishing reasonable supplementary management fees for specialized diabetes care. In addition, I will strive to ensure that the diabetes academic community has a secure leading position by expanding and establishing a foundation for the specialized areas they operate in. In order to ensure that young members of our association are not marginalized in clinical and research environments, I will explore both policy and financial directives to support them.

Henry David Thoreau once said that it takes two to speak the truth, one to speak and another to listen. Therefore, it is my hope that our members will share their sincere thoughts and opinions without any hesitation. During this term, both I and all the board members will take upon ourselves the responsibility of diligently and continuously listening to all of your voices more than anyone else. And, more than anyone else, we will also act with greater alacrity. In summation, I will work to establish the Korean Diabetes Association not merely on the opinions of others, but from the collective heartfelt wishes of our dear members.

Thank you.

Chairman, Board of Directors
Korean Diabetes Association
Bong-Soo Cha