Dear Members of The Korean Society of Mycology,

It is my great pleasure to extend my sincere appreciation to all of our members for your unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to the continued growth of The Korean Society of Mycology throughout 2025. As we welcome 2026, I extend my warmest wishes to you and your families for good health, happiness, and continued success in all your personal and professional endeavors.

Since its establishment in 1972, The Korean Society of Mycology has played a pivotal role in advancing mycological research in Korea by promoting academic excellence and scholarly exchange across diverse fields, including fungal taxonomy, ecology, plant pathology, medical mycology, and industrial mycology. As the world faces unprecedented challenges related to environmental sustainability, food security, drug discovery, and biotechnology, it is both a great honor and a privilege to serve as President of our Society.

In 2026, our Society will focus on three strategic priorities.

First, we will strengthen the international standing of Korean mycology by promoting scholarly exchange, nurturing the next generation of mycologists, and expanding both domestic and international research collaborations. Building on the success of AMC2023, we will continue to work closely with the Korean Organizing Committee of the 13th International Mycological Congress (IMC13) to help ensure the success of IMC13, which will be held in Songdo, Incheon, in 2027.

Second, we will further enhance the academic excellence of our Society. Although modest in size, our Society is widely recognized for the excellence of its research and the dedication of its members. We will continue to strengthen our two flagship journals, Mycobiology and The Korean Journal of Mycology, thereby further enhancing the Society’s academic influence and international reputation.

Third, we will establish a strong foundation for sustainable growth by promoting closer collaboration among academia, research institutes, industry, and government. We will also expand opportunities for early-career researchers to engage in scholarly exchange, collaborative research, and international activities, thereby cultivating the next generation of leaders in Korean mycology.

Thanks to your enthusiastic participation and generous support, our 2026 Spring Annual Meeting was a great success in Gyeongju. We look forward to welcoming you to our Fall Annual Meeting this November at Chungnam National University in Daejeon. I sincerely encourage your continued interest and active participation.

Looking ahead, The Korean Society of Mycology will continue to promote excellence in mycological research while contributing to society through scientific innovation and collaboration. Together with our members, we will further strengthen our academic community and build an even brighter future for mycology. I sincerely ask for your continued support and active participation.

Thank you.

January 2026

Sang-Keun Oh, Ph.D.
President, The Korean Society of Mycology