Advancements in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: A Decade of Growth and Specialization in South Korea

Under the guidance of the Korean Society of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (KSPEM), South Korea is making significant strides in the field of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM). The tragic incident in 2010, where a 4-year-old child lost their life due to a delayed diagnosis of intussusception, deeply impacted the Korean community and catalyzed the specialization of PEM. In 2013, the Korean Society of Pediatrics and the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine collaboratively expressed concerns about progress in PEM. This collaboration resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding, paving the way for the establishment of related societies and the introduction of the subspecialty system. Consequently, KSPEM was officially founded in 2014.

Following its establishment, the inaugural issue of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Journal (https://pemj.org/) was published in 2014. Since 2018, KSPEM has been preparing for the subspecialty certification process, ultimately achieving PEM subspecialty certification in 2022. Currently, 699 PEM subspecialists, primarily consisting of pediatricians and emergency physicians, actively contribute to advancing and rationalizing PEM.

KSPEM regularly organizes academic and training conferences, including case conferences. Notably, the education committee provides KAPECC (Korean Advanced Pediatric Emergency Care Course) for physicians aspiring to specialize in PEM. Additionally, the committee offers BPECC (Basic Pediatric Emergency Care Course) for junior physicians who have not obtained subspecialty certification in PEM.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the society's founding in 2024, the 2024 Seoul Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatric Emergency Medicine is scheduled to take place on November 20th. Your enthusiastic interest is sincerely appreciated.

2019 Year-End Party Night KSPEM Directors

2022 PEM Subspecialty Certification Evaluation Task Force