The Korean Society of Radiology (KSR) will host the Korean Congress of Radiology 2023 (KCR 2023), its 79th annual conference, at COEX, southern Seoul, from Sept. 20 to 23.

Under the slogan “Exploring Beyond the Horizon,” the congress has attracted 499 pre-registrations from abroad. According to the society, that marks an increase of about 17 percent from the previous record of international attendees set in the pre-COVID-19 period -- 426 for KCR 2019.

"Active participation from home and abroad confirms that KCR is the largest and most influential radiology event in Asia," KSR President Lee Jung-min said.

Befitting a world-class congress, organizers have prepared various events, including lectures by renowned scholars. Exactly 245 Korean and foreign speakers will deliver lectures, including one Congress lecturer, three plenary lecturers, 17 invited by subdivisions, 11 invited speakers for international cooperation, and 13 invited speakers for joint symposiums.

On the opening day, Professor Linda Moy of the New York University will deliver the Congress lecture titled “Hurdles to clinical implementation of AI,” explaining the challenges and visions of clinical application of AI technology.

Plenary lectures include “Insights from neuroimaging into vascular causes, prevention and treatment of dementia” by Professor Joanna Wardlaw of the University of Edinburgh and U.K. on Sept. 21, “Photon-counting CT: Where can it make an impact on patient care?” by Professor Joel G. Fletcher of Mayo Clinic, USA), “Liver and hepatocellular carcinoma: vascular anatomy, hemodynamics,

In addition, various joint symposia with overseas societies were also organized. For example, the participants will share views on the following issues.

-- Advanced imaging of abdominal diseases and challenges in gastrointestinal diseases with the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

-- The latest updates on omics and lung cancer imaging in the field of chest imaging with the European Society of Radiology (ESR)

-- The use of radionics and artificial intelligence in abdominal malignancies with the International Cancer Imaging Society (ICIS)

-- The introduction of the latest imaging techniques. With the Society of French Radiology (SFR), we will discuss musculoskeletal disorders from diagnosis to treatment and trauma assessment; with the Spanish Society of Radiology, we will discuss clinical applications of cardiac MRI and a review of the latest imaging techniques and biomarkers.

-- In the KCR meets India session, they will discuss challenges in neurological imaging assessment.

Besides, the congress will feature image interpretation session (held in a team competition format, utilizing the Jeopardy method), Multidisciplinary Team Approach (MDT) session (a program where experts from different fields share and discuss their expertise on topics related to pediatrics, cardiovascular, urology, breast, abdomen, and interventions), and AI scientific session (organized by gathering excellent speakers related to artificial intelligence from various departments, allowing participants to grasp the latest trends and gain ideas).

"The congress is composed of programs that allow participants to experience the present and future of the field of radiology from various perspectives," said Dr. Choi Jin-young, a professor of radiology at Severance Hospital and the academic director of KSR. “Active participation by members will make the congress more informative and meaningful."

The society also regularly conducts business meetings with more than 30 major overseas societies.

Starting with business meetings with France and Indonesia at the KCR 2009, the society held business meetings with nine countries at RSNA, five countries at ECR, seven countries at AOCR & KCR 2022, and plans to hold such meetings with 15 countries at KCR 2023.

"We are trying to increase the number of overseas delegates and participants in the KCR," said Dr. Lee Hwal, professor of radiology at Seoul National University Hospital and director of international cooperation at KSR. “The business meeting is held every year or every two years, and it plays the most important role in introducing and promoting KSR, exchanging excellent talents of KSR, and developing the domestic society."

KCR Chairman Lee asked for greater attention to the event.

"With the participation of many leading radiologists from around the world, KCR is becoming a representative international conference in radiology," Lee said. “We look forward to KCR 2023 with its high-quality and diverse academic programs as well as enjoyable exchanges and communication."