Inaugural Address of the President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society.

Dear Esteemed Members and Colleagues,

It is with the great honor and gratitude that I address you today as the 20th President of the Korean Urological Oncology Society.

Since the first "Founding Assembly and First Academic Conference of the Korean Urological Oncology Society" was held on February 23, 1991, our society has grown into the most pioneering and progressive organization in the field of urology, thanks to the dedication and support of our esteemed members.

However, the field of urologic oncology has seen rapid advancements in surgical and pharmacological treatments, with standard treatment guidelines evolving every year. In particular, the introduction of new drugs has accelerated clinical research, making it increasingly challenging for our members to keep up with the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of urologic cancers. Furthermore, unresolved conflicts between the medical community and policymakers have created an uncertain and difficult environment for our members, adding to their challenges and concerns.

Despite these difficulties, I extend my deepest respect and admiration to our dedicated members who continue to devote themselves to patient care and research. As President, I am committed to advancing KUOS during my tenure through the following initiatives:

First, the internationalization of KUOS.
Thanks to the efforts of my predecessors and fellow executives, our society has gained international recognition through the East Asia Urologic Oncology Symposium (EAUOS). This year, for the first time, EAUOS will be held in conjunction with our annual academic conference, and we will strive to progressively globalize our academic meeting.

Second, the inclusion of the Journal of Urologic Oncology (JUO) in SCIE.
We believe that achieving SCIE indexing for JUO goes hand in hand with our society’s internationalization efforts. While we still have a long way to go, we will continue to invest in and support this important endeavor.

Third, laying the foundation for prospective multicenter clinical trials led by KUOS.
Our research committees on prostate cancer, renal cancer, and bladder cancer have already built strong databases and achieved significant results through retrospective studies. Now, we will further encourage prospective clinical research to drive innovative outcomes.

Fourth, the active support of multidisciplinary conferences.
Since 2003, KUOS has laid the foundation for multidisciplinary care by organizing the Joint Tumor Conference, followed by the KUOS Multidisciplinary Conference in 2007. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance these conferences by incorporating diverse educational programs and fostering multidisciplinary research collaborations.

While we will always honor and support our dedicated senior members, we will also actively welcome and engage young professionals with a passion for urologic oncology.

I have great love for KUOS and profound respect for our members. During my tenure, I will do my utmost to build upon the legacy established by my predecessors, executives, and members, ensuring that our society continues to grow and prosper.

Wishing you all happiness and good health.

Thank you.