About KAPARD > president message
Dear colleagues and friends,

I am Sooyoung Lee, MD., PhD, the President of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease (KAPARD) from June 2021 to April 2023. It is very honor to introduce KAPARD to colleagues and friends from Korea and Academies in Asia-Pacific Region and all over the world.

KAPARD is an association of more than 1,300 members from all over the Republic of Korea, dedicated to improving the health of infants, preschoolers, school children and adolescents with allergic, respiratory, and immunologic diseases.

KAPARD was founded in 1987, with the mission of providing the most efficient and unique platforms for scientific communication and education in the field of pediatric allergy, respiratory diseases, and clinical immunology. During recent several decades, the allergic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and especially food allergy have increased, and becoming an important issue in pediatric field. The respiratory diseases associated with viral or bacterial infections, genetic and/or environmental factors have also been more alarming in children. So, in pursuit of our mission, we seek to 1) promote basic, translational, and clinical research, 2) provide the clinical and scientific evidence, 3) promote good patient care, 4) encourage and educate young investigators, and 5) develop and lead the personal and the international relationships.

In May 2021, KAPARD has held the joint Congress with the Asian Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respiratory, and Immunology (APAPARI) in Seoul, with wide range of sessions and 1,500 participants from across the globe. We deeply appreciate all friends who accomplished such a successful 2021 KAPARD-APAPARI Joint Congress. (https://www.apapari2021.com)

In 2022, KAPARD is fronting of the 35TH Anniversary, and various academic and social programs are planned. I pray the COVID-19 pandemic could be overcome as soon as possible, and hope colleagues and friends can get together in person.

July 2021, Sooyoung Lee, MD., PhD,
The 9TH KAPARD President 2021-2023