As we welcome the Year of Byeongo (丙午年), I extend my warmest wishes to all members for a year filled with vitality and prosperity, inspired by the spirited energy of the red horse. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude for your dedication and commitment to the advancement of our society over the past year. The distinguished standing our society holds today in the field of obesity research and treatment has been made possible by the long-standing passion and tireless efforts of all our members.
Last year, we successfully hosted ICOMES 2025, marking a pivotal milestone that positions ICOMES to rise as one of the world’s top three international congresses in obesity. Through active scientific exchange and the highest academic standards, ICOMES is now firmly establishing itself as a central global platform for obesity research.
Our official journal, JOMES, is also approaching an impressive impact factor of 10, further strengthening its status as an influential journal in the international obesity research community. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedicated work of our editorial board and members and signifies that the academic capabilities of our society have reached global excellence.
In Korea, the past year marked a turning point as GLP-1–based anti-obesity medications entered widespread clinical use, ushering in a new era of proactive obesity treatment. An increasing number of clinicians and patients now recognize obesity as a medical disease and are seeking appropriate therapy, signaling a meaningful shift in our nation’s healthcare paradigm.
Looking ahead to 2026, this trend is expected to accelerate, enabling more individuals to access effective obesity treatment at more affordable costs. Our society will continue to lead these efforts by providing evidence-based treatment guidelines, expanding professional education, and advancing policy recommendations to help our nation overcome the growing burden of obesity more effectively and in the right direction.
This year, we remain firmly committed to our mission—“to protect public health by preventing and treating obesity”—and will continue to fulfill our responsibilities across research, education, and policy. The dedication and engagement of our members will remain the driving force in building a society free from the complications of obesity.
I wish all of you good health and happiness in the New Year, and I look forward to working together as we shape the bright future of our society.
Thank you.


Kim, Eun Mi, Chairman of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity
Kim, Min-Seon, President of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity