Seoul National University Hospital President Paik Nam-Jong Becomes First Korean to Serve as President of the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation
- To lead an international organization with over 5,000 members… spearheading research integrating AI and digital health
[Photo] Seoul National University Hospital President Paik Nam-Jong
Paik Nam-Jong, President of Seoul National University Hospital (and a professor of rehabilitation medicine), was inaugurated as the president of the World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR) during its 14th World Congress, held on the 15th. He is the first Korean to hold this position, and his term will span four years.
Established in 1996, the WFNR is a UK-based, multidisciplinary international organization. It has over 5,000 members worldwide, operates 38 Special Interest Groups, and collaborates with national societies across 41 countries. The organization works to raise awareness of the field of neurorehabilitation, supports education, training, and research, and fosters professional exchange and international cooperation. The World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation (WCNR)—a premier international academic event hosted biennially by the WFNR—held its 14th edition in Daegu from the 14th to the 17th, drawing researchers and clinicians in the field of neurorehabilitation from around the globe.
President Paik has led research in the field of rehabilitation for neurological disorders, including stroke, and has recently focused on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health technologies into rehabilitative care. His appointment is seen as a recognition of both the research capabilities within South Korea’s neuro-rehabilitation sector and the country’s standing on the international stage.
“As the global population ages rapidly, the number of patients suffering from neurological conditions—such as stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease—is rising, making the importance of neuro-rehabilitation greater than ever,” said the newly appointed president, Paik Nam-Jong. “The field is advancing quickly, particularly as cutting-edge technologies like brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and neuromodulation are being incorporated into rehabilitation therapy.”
He added, “It is also essential to ensure that the benefits of these advancements are not confined to a select few nations; we must strive to bridge the gaps in neuro-rehabilitation care worldwide, including in low- and middle-income countries. As president, I intend to strengthen cooperation with academic societies across the globe to simultaneously advance high-tech innovations and improve access to medical care.”