A significant shift is underway in South Korea’s medical education landscape, as 154 professors across the nation’s universities have retired as of February, marking the conclude of an era for many seasoned educators and researchers. The retirements, comprised of 148 professors taking standard retirement and 6 opting for early retirement, signal a period of transition and potential change within the country’s medical schools.
The departures are spread across several institutions, with Sungkyunkwan University leading the numbers at 14 professors, followed by Catholic University with 12. Soochunhyang University and Chung-Ang University each saw 10 professors retire, whereas Hanyang University experienced the departure of 9, and Korea University and Yonsei University each lost 7 professors, according to reports.
Leading Figures Step Down
Among those retiring from Seoul National University are prominent figures like Kim Sang-yoon, a neurology professor renowned for developing a Korean-style dementia screening program and having served as president of both the Korean Dementia Society and the Korean Geriatric Society. Also departing Seoul National is Kim Tae-yu, an internal medicine professor and former president of both the Korean Society of Medical Oncology and the Korean Cancer Association, who also served as the hospital director of Seoul National University Cancer Hospital. Further retirements at Seoul National include neurology professor Lee Yong-seok, former president of the Korean Society of Neurological Ultrasound, and Lee Jae-seo, an otolaryngology professor and past president of both the Korean Society of Otolaryngology and the Korean Asthma and Allergy Society.
At Yonsei University, the retirement of Choi Jin-seop, a surgery professor and former hospital director of Yonsei Cancer Hospital, marks the end of over 35 years dedicated to cancer treatment. Kim Myung-jin, a radiology professor specializing in liver and abdominal imaging and a member of the Korean Academy of Medicine, has also stepped down. Rounding out the Yonsei departures are Jeon Woo-taek, a professor of medical education, and Lee Hye-yeon, a professor of anatomy, both of whom held leadership positions within their respective fields.
Departures Extend Across the Nation
Ulsan University’s retiring faculty includes Kim Yang-soo, an infectious disease specialist and former president of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, known for his work on superbugs and antibiotic resistance. Also retiring from Ulsan is Ko Tae-sung, a pediatric neurology expert and former hospital director of Seoul Asan Children’s Hospital, alongside Kim Dong-gwan, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgery professor and former director of the Seoul Asan Hospital Lung Cancer Center, and Jang Se-jin, a pathology professor and former president of the Korean Society of Pathology. Kim Dong-gwan and Jang Se-jin will continue to contribute as consulting professors at Seoul Asan Hospital.
Sungkyunkwan University also saw the departure of several veteran specialists, including Park Ki-tae, a dentistry professor and former president of the Asian Association of Pediatric Dentistry; Bae Jae-moon, a surgery professor and former vice president of the National Cancer Center Hospital and president of the Korean Gastric Cancer Association; Ahn Myung-joo, a hematology-oncology professor and former president of the Korean Lung Cancer Society; and Bang Sa-ik, a plastic surgery professor and former director of the plastic surgery department at Samsung Seoul Hospital.
Catholic University is also bidding farewell to influential figures, including Kang Jin-hyung, an internal medicine professor and former president of the Korean Lung Cancer Society, recently elected as a new member of the Korean Academy of Medicine. Oh Il-hwan, a professor of biomedical science and a leader in stem cell and regenerative medicine, and Jeong Yang-guk, an orthopedic surgery professor and former president of the Korean Society of Spinal Oncology, are also among those retiring.
Continuing Contributions and New Chapters
At Korea University, Park Chang-kyu, a cardiology professor and former president of the Korean Society of Hypertension, has retired, having significantly contributed to hypertension treatment and research both domestically and internationally. Song Kwan-gyu, a rheumatology professor and former president of the Korean Rheumatology Association, has also stepped down, as has Shim Jae-jeong, a pulmonology professor and former president of the Korean Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Association.
From Eulji University, Kim Dong-uk, a renowned internal medicine professor specializing in chronic myeloid leukemia, has retired. He previously served as the inaugural hospital director of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and spearheaded the development of targeted cancer therapies in Asia.
At Kyungpook National University, Kim Yong-lim, a nephrology professor and former hospital director and president of the Korean Society of Nephrology, and Jeong Ho-young, a surgery professor and former hospital director and president of the Korean Hospital Association, are also retiring. Jeong Ho-young will continue his work at Kyungpook National University Hospital as the chief information security officer.
Many of the retiring professors are expected to continue their work in various capacities, with some remaining at their affiliated hospitals or taking on new roles. Kwon Jeong-taek, former hospital director of Chung-Ang University, will continue as a clinical professor at the hospital. Kim Hyung-jun, a hematology-oncology professor from Jeonnam University, will take on the role of hospital director at Gwangju Veterans Hospital, and Yoon Ho-ju, an internal medicine professor from Hanyang University, will become the hospital director of Hanyang University Medical Center.
The wave of retirements represents a significant moment for South Korean medical education, as a generation of experienced professors transitions into new phases of their careers. The impact of their contributions will undoubtedly be felt for years to come, and their continued involvement in the medical community, in various capacities, promises to maintain a high level of expertise and innovation. Further details regarding the appointments of new faculty and the future direction of these departments are expected to be announced in the coming months.
What are your thoughts on this shift in South Korea’s medical education landscape? Share your comments below and let us know how you think these changes will impact the future of healthcare in the region.
