It is a great pleasure to offer my heartfelt congratulations on the first publication of the Korea Biomedical Review (KBR), the nation’s first English media outlet specializing in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

The KBR was founded by Young Doctors to address rapidly changing medical and media environments as it celebrates its 25th year of publication. The Young Doctors has had a significant influence on Korea’s health care sector as it has positioned itself as one of the most promising opinion leader groups in Korea’s medical community since its foundation in 1992 with the motto of the “Reflection and Reformation of Korean Medical care.” I am confident that the KBR will lead us along the long way to help Korea’s health care industry advance to global markets and attract foreign patients.

As of 2015, the number of foreign patients visiting Korea for medical treatment surpassed 300,000. Exports of medicines and medical devices stood at 3.3 trillion won and 3.1 trillion won, respectively. All this clearly shows that Korea’s health care industry is drawing attention from around the world, and we expect that this trend will expand for years to come.

Unfortunately, however, information available for these foreign patients has been limited to only basic information provided. The quality and quantity of the information have not been satisfactory, either. Against the backdrop, we are delighted to hear that the KBR is published.

We hope that the KBR will be able to provide high-quality information for readers around the world who pay keen attention to Korea’s advanced medical and health care industries. We look forward to seeing the KBR will grow to become a credible English media outlet for people around the world, serving as a bridge between Korea and the rest of this planet.

Once again, I would like to congratulate you on the publication of the KBR and express my gratitude to publisher Lee Wang-joon and many writers and editors for their dedication and hard work.

Thank you.

Choo Moo-jin
President
Korean Medical Association

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