Seoul National University Hospital said Cho Tae-joon, a professor of orthopedic surgery, was elected the next president of the Korean Orthopaedic Association at the group's general assembly on the 9th, held during its 70th annual academic congress. His one-year term begins in November 2027.
Founded in 1956, the association marked its 70th anniversary this year and is the country's leading academic body in orthopedic surgery. It conducts research, academic exchanges, education and training programs, and public outreach aimed at advancing the field and improving musculoskeletal health.
Cho has specialized in pediatric orthopedics and rare skeletal disorders in both clinical practice and research. He has contributed to the development of new surgical techniques and to identifying genes behind rare skeletal disorders through genomics research. He has received the Korean Orthopaedic Association's top academic award and the Manrye Foundation Award, and was awarded the Order of Service Merit in 2018.
He has served as president of the Korean Society of Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction, the Korean Pediatric Orthopedic Society, the Korean Orthopaedic Research Society and the Asia Pacific Pediatric Orthopaedic Society. He also headed Seoul National University Children's Hospital and served as chief of orthopedic surgery at Seoul National University Hospital and chair of the orthopedic surgery department at Seoul National University College of Medicine. He is currently a full member of the National Academy of Medicine of Korea and sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association and the international journal Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery.
"It is an honor to lead the Korean Orthopaedic Association, and I feel a heavy sense of responsibility," Cho said, adding that he would work to create an environment in which young orthopedic surgeons can take pride in their work and focus on training and research, and to raise the international standing of Korean orthopedic surgery.
Cho also founded the Korean Doctors Orchestra, made up of physicians and dentists, and served as its director. He remains active in the ensemble as principal clarinetist.