Seoul National University Hospital inaugurates 20th president Paik Nam-jong

Paik Nam-jong was inaugurated Friday afternoon as the 20th president of Seoul National University Hospital at a ceremony held at CJ Hall in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. His three-year term runs from May 13, 2026, to May 12, 2029. About 300 guests attended, including Seoul National University President Yoo Hong-lim and former hospital presidents.

In his inaugural address, Paik said South Korea's healthcare system stands at "a great turning point" and outlined three priorities for his tenure. He pledged to strengthen clinical excellence in treating highly complex, severe and rare diseases, and to firmly establish the hospital as the control tower of the regional essential public healthcare system — building it into "a hospital for the people."

He also unveiled a blueprint to transform Seoul National University Hospital into a "hospital of the future" through an ambitious digital transformation. Plans include building an integrated digital transformation platform across the Seoul National University Hospital group, embedding AI systems throughout the full cycle of patient care, and establishing an "intelligent connected care" model that extends medical support and caregiving beyond discharge — with the aim of setting a global standard for Korean medicine. He pledged to break down barriers between generations and professional groups through communication and empathy, create a structure in which frontline voices are reflected in management decisions, and build a "happy community" where every member feels pride in their work.

Paik closed his address by expressing his ambition to make Seoul National University Hospital "a world-class institution that earns the trust and affection of the Korean people and inspires awe and inspiration across the global medical community," pledging to devote all of his experience and passion to that goal.