Seoul National University Hospital chief becomes first Korean to lead world neurorehabilitation body

Baek Nam-jong, president of Seoul National University Hospital and a professor of rehabilitation medicine, has become the first Korean to lead the World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation, taking office as its president at the 14th World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation on Thursday. His term will run for four years.

Founded in 1996, the WFNR is a UK-based multidisciplinary international organization with more than 5,000 members worldwide. It operates 38 Special Interest Groups and collaborates with national societies in 41 countries, working to raise awareness of neurorehabilitation, support education, training and research, and promote professional exchange and international cooperation. The WFNR's biennial World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation is one of the field's flagship academic events. This year's 14th edition was held in Daegu from Oct. 14 to Saturday, drawing researchers and clinicians in neurorehabilitation from around the world.

Baek has led research on the rehabilitation of neurological conditions including stroke and has more recently focused on integrating AI and digital health technology into rehabilitation medicine. His election is seen as recognition of South Korea's growing research capabilities and international standing in the field.

"As aging accelerates worldwide, the number of patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, dementia and Parkinson's disease is rising, making neurorehabilitation more important than ever," Baek said. "Advanced technologies such as brain-computer interfaces and neuromodulation are being incorporated into rehabilitation treatment, and the field is advancing rapidly."

He added that the benefits of these advances must not be confined to a handful of countries. "We also need to work to reduce disparities in neurorehabilitation care globally, including in low- and middle-income countries," he said. "As president, I will strengthen cooperation with national societies and pursue both the advancement of cutting-edge technology and improved access to care."