2023

Greetings to all,

No matter how cold the winter is, spring will always come. I am infinitely happy to be able to hold PPTC at this point when the COVID-19 crisis, which has been continuing without knowing when it will end, has finally calmed down and we can freely gather indoors without wearing a mask.

Since its inception in 2013, PPTC has solidified its position as a gathering of trauma professionals from across the Asia Pacific region to share the latest insights and collaborate to provide better care for trauma patients.

The catchphrase of PPTC of this year is ‘The journey back to wholeness’. In order to obtain optimal results in the treatment of trauma patients, experts in each field must do their best in their respective fields. At the same time, the efforts of experts in each field must be mutually cooperative for the holistic treatment of patients. In that sense, the phrase that all things work together for good is to be keep in mind of all medical staff who is involved in care of trauma patients.

Experts in each field are expected to understand each other's position and to be prepared to think about how to find a better point of agreement when mutual positions did not match. It is hoped that this process will serve as an opportunity to advance the holistic treatment of trauma patients.

This year's PPTC is the 10th conference. There is a Korean proverb that says that even mountains and rivers change in 10 years. Looking back on the past 10 years, PPTC 2023 is expected to be a turning point to show the future direction of progress of PPTC. Gwangju, where the conference is held this year, means 'the town of light'. It is expected that the conference will shed new light on the treatment and research of trauma.

I greatly appreciate your dedication.

Hee-Jin Yang, M.D.
President, Korean Society of Traumatology

Dear Colleagues

I would like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the Korean Society of Traumatology to all the participants.

Korean Society of Traumatology (KST), which is established in 1985, is hosting its 38th academic conference this year. Since 2013, KST organized an international academic conference ‘Pan-Pacific Trauma Congress’ (PPTC), and co-hosted with Armed Forces Medical Command since 2014, to promote exchange of ideas and broaden our horizons.

Government driven project to establish 17 regional trauma centers in Republic of Korea, which started at 2012, is making a real progress, and the centers are leading trauma care in Korea. Additionally, “doctor helicopters” are now available at eight regional trauma centers, greatly contributing to the rapid transfer and treatment of patients at the pre-hospital stage. Moreover, thanks to the efforts of all our members and government support, the preventable trauma death rate decreased from 35.2% in 2011 to 15.7% in 2019. I hope we can continuously do our best to collaborate for the treatment of trauma patients also in the future.

In this congress, we invited outstanding speakers from abroad. Members from Japanese Association for Surgery of Trauma (JAST) including president of JAST, participated this meeting to exchange knowledges and ideas with KST. The academic committee has put extensive efforts into developing an excellent program. Thus, I sincerely hope you to participate in PPTC and share your latest knowledge with us.

The 10th PPTC will be held in Gwangju, which is renowned for ‘taste’ and ‘style’. I am sure that this PPTC, free from the restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic and meeting freely on site, will be a good opportunity to share friendships, along with our academic knowledges.

Best regards,

Chan Yong PARK, M.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
The Korean Society of Traumatology

Dear members of the Korean Society of Traumatology,

I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all of you. I am BG Beomman HA, the Commanding General of Armed Forces Medical Command.

Over the past three years, amidst the national health crisis of COVID-19, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all medical professionals who have dedicated themselves to protecting the lives and safety of ourcitizens. I would also like to extend my respect and appreciation to all related personnel who have contributed to the successful preparation and presentation of the 10th Pan-Pacific Trauma Congress (2023 Korea).

The Korean Society of Traumatology has continued a pivotal role in the development of the critical trauma system in Korea. Through tireless efforts, the number of regional trauma centers capable of intensive care for severe trauma patients has expanded to 17 centers, and significant improvements have been made in the preventable trauma mortality rate through the accumulation of successful treatment experiences and know-how. The Armed Forces Medical Command is also striving to establish the world's top-level military trauma system through the opening of military trauma centers, full deployment of dedicated medical helicopter('MEDEON'), and construction of a future oriented integrated control system.

The Armed Forces Medical Command has been jointly hosting the Pan-Pacific Trauma Congress with the Korean Trauma Society since 2013 to enhance civilian and military trauma response capabilities. The 10th Pan-Pacific Trauma Congress, which we are celebrating this year, is the foundation for the development of trauma medicine in Korea, showcasing outstanding trauma treatment practices and research through academic conferences attended by various trauma experts from domestic and foreign institutions.

As the importance and interest in the field of trauma continues to grow, I sincerely hope that this academic conference will be a platform for both civilian and military trauma medical professionals to achieve our common goal of improving trauma treatment capabilities and to share the knowledge and experience necessary for realizing the blueprint of future trauma medicine in the Republic of Korea.

Best regards, BG Beomman HA
Commanding General
Armed Forces Medical Command