Dear Members,

  It is a great honor to serve as the 15th President of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea (EESK). I extend my sincere gratitude to our founding President, Professor Seung-Pil Jang, as well as to all former Presidents and members whose dedication and tireless efforts have enabled the Society’s remarkable growth and advancement.

 Today, the world is experiencing rapid and unprecedented change. From political turbulence in the United States to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, global instability continues to affect all aspects of society. In these uncertain times, prudence and resilience are more important than ever. Earthquake engineering, by its very nature, is grounded in caution, conservatism, and preparedness. EESK remains the only professional body in Korea exclusively dedicated to earthquake disaster prevention and public safety. Without its contributions and achievements, the impacts of the 2016 Gyeongju and 2017 Pohang earthquakes could have been far more severe.

At its establishment, the Society brought together experts in structural engineering, seismology, nuclear engineering, noise and vibration, and related fields. Over time, however, participation from some of these disciplines has declined. Looking ahead, a key objective is to broaden our scope and reengage diverse experts, thereby expanding our reach and impact.

  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake in Japan—a tragic event that highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and directly inspired the founding of our Society. Next year, EESK will celebrate its own 30th anniversary. As we transition from our formative years to a more mature phase, we will continue to strengthen our constitution and operational regulations to ensure sustainable growth. In particular, we will build on the key initiatives launched by the 14th Executive Committee, including the international indexing of our journal, expanded collaboration with overseas institutions, and continued efforts to host the World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (WCEE).

Finally, I acknowledge and honor the contributions of our predecessors and members, whose achievements have laid the foundation on which we stand today. Guided by our mission to build a safer, earthquake-resilient society, I pledge to devote my full efforts to the continued development of EESK. I respectfully ask for your continued support, guidance, and active participation.

Thank you.