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<article xml:lang="en" article-type="editorial" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
<front>
<journal-meta>
<journal-id journal-id-type="nlm-ta">Korean J Intern Med</journal-id>
<journal-title-group>
<journal-title>The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine</journal-title></journal-title-group>
<issn pub-type="ppub">1226-3303</issn>
<issn pub-type="epub">2005-6648</issn>
<publisher>
<publisher-name>Korean Association of Internal Medicine</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta>
<article-meta>
<article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.3904/kjim.2025.310</article-id>
<article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">kjim-2025-310</article-id>
<article-categories>
<subj-group>
<subject>Editorial</subject></subj-group></article-categories>
<title-group>
<article-title>Leading the future of internal medicine: a message from the new editor-in-chief</article-title></title-group>
<contrib-group>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name><surname>Choi</surname><given-names>Jong-Il</given-names></name>
<degrees>MD, PhD, MHS, MSc</degrees>
<role>Editor-in-Chief</role></contrib></contrib-group>
<pub-date pub-type="ppub">
<month>1</month>
<year>2026</year></pub-date>
<pub-date pub-type="epub">
<day>1</day>
<month>01</month>
<year>2026</year></pub-date>
<volume>41</volume>
<issue>1</issue>
<fpage>1</fpage>
<lpage>1</lpage>
<permissions>
<copyright-statement>Copyright &#x000A9; 2026 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine</copyright-statement>
<copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
<license license-type="open-access">
<license-p>This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (<ext-link xlink:href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/" ext-link-type="uri">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/</ext-link>) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</license-p></license></permissions></article-meta></front>
<body>
<p><inline-graphic xlink:href="kjim-2025-310i1.tif"/></p>
<p>Dear colleagues, members of the Korean Association of Internal Medicine, and global researchers,</p>
<p>It is a profound honor and privilege to introduce myself as the new Editor-in-Chief of the <italic>Korean Journal of Internal Medicine</italic> (KJIM). At the outset, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Hyoung Chul Oh (the former Editor-in-Chief) and the editorial board members. Their unwavering dedication and leadership have been instrumental in establishing KJIM as a highly respected international journal in the field of internal medicine.</p>
<p>As we open this new chapter, I am committed to preserving the academic excellence of KJIM while proactively embracing the changes required for a new era of medical science. To further enhance our journal&#x02019;s global impact and clinical relevance, I am pleased to introduce the 'BEE-UP' initiative&#x02014;a strategic roadmap that will guide our focus for the coming years:</p>
<list list-type="simple">
<list-item>
<p>&#x02022; <bold>B</bold>ridging Clinical Practice and Health Policy: We will provide a vital platform for evidence-based discussions on healthcare systems and medical ethics, ensuring our research directly informs and improves public health outcomes.</p></list-item>
<list-item>
<p>&#x02022; <bold>E</bold>mbracing Emerging Trends: KJIM will prioritize cutting-edge research, including precision medicine, digital healthcare, and innovative clinical trials that bridge the gap between laboratory bench and patient bedside.</p></list-item>
<list-item>
<p>&#x02022; <bold>E</bold>nhancing Editorial Efficiency: We are dedicated to streamlining our submission and review processes to provide authors with faster, more constructive, and transparent feedback.</p></list-item>
<list-item>
<p>&#x02022; <bold>U</bold>pholding Academic Integrity: We will maintain the highest standards of rigorous peer review to ensure that we publish only the most credible and impactful clinical and basic research.</p></list-item>
<list-item>
<p>&#x02022; <bold>P</bold>romoting Global Reach: By actively seeking diverse international contributions and collaborations, we will expand KJIM&#x02019;s visibility and foster a global dialogue on internal medicine.</p></list-item></list>
<p>Through these five pillars, we will not only preserve the prestigious legacy of the Korean Journal of Internal Medicine but also propel it toward a more influential and innovative future.</p>
<p>The success of KJIM depends entirely on the active engagement and passion of our authors, reviewers, and readers. I cordially invite you to contribute your finest work and join us in our mission to improve human health through the advancement of internal medicine.</p>
<p>I look forward to working together with all of you to elevate the <italic>Korean Journal of Internal Medicine</italic> to new heights of excellence.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p></body></article>
