[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] Kim Seok-woo, a professor at the Spine Center of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, has been elected president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), the world’s most prestigious U.S. spine society. He is the first Korean to lead the organization since the ISASS system was established.
Professor Kim will serve as co-president of ISASS for one year starting in May 2027, alongside Rolando Garcia Jr., MD, one of the world’s leading authorities in spinal surgery. His election was announced during the ISASS 2026 annual conference held in Miami in April.
ISASS is a leading U.S. spine society with more than 3,000 spine and cervical specialists from about 80 countries taking part. It includes prominent scholars in spine medicine from around the world. Past presidents have included leading figures in spinal surgery such as Steven Garfin, MD, Gunnar B.J. Andersson, MD, PhD, and Thomas Errico, MD.
Kim Seok-woo’s election highlights the international standing of South Korea’s spine medicine. It is especially significant that a spine surgeon based in Korea will help guide the society’s operations and academic agenda alongside the world’s top spine surgery experts.
Professor Kim is regarded as an authority in complex cervical spine surgery, including cervical myelopathy, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, cervical and thoracic deformity correction, and trauma. He has built extensive clinical experience and academic achievements in the treatment of high-risk spinal disorders, while also contributing steadily to education and academic exchange in the spine surgery field at home and abroad.
He has also been recognized for his leadership in major spine societies in Korea and overseas. Since May, he has served as the 43rd president of the Korean Society of Spine Surgery. He has also held posts including president of the Asia Pacific Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Society (PASMISS), president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery Asia-Pacific Section (ISASS-AP), executive director of ISASS, and president of the Korean Society of Advanced Spine Surgery.
Kim Seok-woo said, "Being elected president of ISASS is meaningful not only as a personal honor, but also because it allows a spine surgeon who was trained, practiced, and conducted research in Korea to help discuss and lead the future direction of global spine medicine." He added, "During my term, I will contribute to international cooperation and education in spine surgery, patient-centered care, and the development of advanced evidence-based surgical technologies." He continued, "I hope this election will raise the profile of Korean spine medicine and encourage young doctors in South Korea to take on even greater challenges on the global stage."
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
