Dear members of the Korean Society for Phlebology,

I am Dr. Sun Cheol Park from the Department of Vascular Surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea.

As the newly appointed chairman of the Korean Society for Venous and Lymphatic Surgery for the year 2024, I greet you all with a profound sense of responsibility.

I recall the founding assembly held on March 31, 2001, where over 200 domestic professionals from various related fields and specialties gathered with the vision to advance the academic understanding of venous diseases and contribute to public health by setting standards in treatment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the professors, directors, past presidents, chairmen, and executive members for their dedicated efforts over the past two decades. I also express my deep respect and gratitude to all members who have consistently participated in and supported the society's fundamental mission.

Over the past 22 years, the Korean Society for Venous and Lymphatic Surgery has evolved into a prominent mid-sized society, founded on the principles of camaraderie and collaboration among its members. Currently, we have over 300 full members and 1500 associate members actively participating in our activities. We host biannual domestic conferences in spring and fall, both in Seoul and various regions across the country. Furthermore, we actively engage in international academic conferences as members of the Union Internationale de Phlebologie (UIP) and the Asian Venous Forum, and we successfully hosted the UIP Congress in Seoul in 2015. Beginning this year, we plan to establish regular exchanges with the Japanese Society for Vascular Surgery.

Our foremost priority is to expedite the process of becoming an official member society of the Korean Medical Association. Building upon the achievement of joining the Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors (KAMJE) on December 26, 2023, we will diligently manage and maintain the academic integrity of our society's journal to strengthen our support for members in academic publication.

Furthermore, based on the "Standard Treatment Guidelines and Member Code of Ethics" established in the previous term and the inclusion of "Ultrasound Examination Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Lower Extremity Venous Diseases" in the Korean Medical Association's clinical practice guidelines, we will promote continuous education opportunities in procedural skills and diagnostic ultrasound examinations alongside our academic activities to discourage non-specialists from treating venous diseases and strive for the best possible patient care based on the latest insights.

Once again, I express my heartfelt gratitude for your enthusiastic interest and dedication. I pledge to listen to your voices, foster communication, and exert my utmost efforts for the continual advancement of our society.

Thank you.