Dear Esteemed Members of the Korean Institute of Architects,

First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to our esteemed seniors, colleagues, and young architects who have contributed tirelessly to the history and tradition of the Korean Institute of Architects since its establishment in 1957, and who continue to dedicate themselves to the advancement of our architectural culture.

Architecture stands as one of the most publicly significant genres within the realm of cultural arts. It is only by acknowledging and respecting the value of architecture and actively participating in its preservation and advancement that we can ensure a bright future for our architectural community. I consider this to be one of the primary responsibilities of our association, a duty to which past presidents and members have dedicated themselves, and one which we must continue to pursue with even greater effort.

With this in mind, I would like to outline the key initiatives that our association will focus on in the coming period, premised on the respect, preservation, and advancement of architecture's value.

Firstly, we aim to initiate a movement towards the popularization of architecture. We believe that architecture should be recognized and esteemed as an expression of culture, firmly embedded in the consciousness of our citizens and manifesting as a national identity. Through widespread education on architectural culture, we aspire to create a Republic of Korea where the ultimate consumers, our citizens, embrace and love architecture. To achieve this, we will strengthen our collaboration with the government, local authorities, and public institutions, actively advocating for the societal importance and public significance of architecture.

Secondly, we will focus on achieving a balanced development between the functional and cultural aspects of architecture. Leveraging the significant advancements made in the field of architecture through initiatives such as the "Architectural Services Industry Promotion Act," we aim to elevate public awareness of architecture, enabling our citizens to appreciate architecture as a cultural art form. Concurrently, to enhance the status of architects and underscore their societal roles, the role of the Korean Institute of Architects becomes even more pivotal. In response, our association will strive to elevate the artistic value of architecture by completing the establishment of the "Architecture Arts Promotion Act."

Thirdly, we will expand the operation of architecture education institutes and strengthen exchanges with the 12 regional architectural associations. We will promote the advancement of architects' education and expand public architectural education through the Architecture Education Institute, thereby enhancing the status of our members. Furthermore, we will reinforce the role of regional architectural associations, systematizing networks to generate synergistic effects with local communities.

Fourthly, we will actively collaborate with internal architecture-related organizations to foster mutual growth. Externally, we will encourage greater member participation in the activities and roles of the International Union of Architects (UIA). By actively participating in the 2024 UIA International Forum in Kuala Lumpur, the 2025 Incheon Asian Architecture Congress, and concurrently hosting the 2025 Korea Architecture Culture Festival and the UIA World Congress in Seoul, we aim to expand opportunities for international activities among our members and elevate the dignity and prestige of Korean architecture through the globalization of K-architecture.

Good spaces create good people and build beautiful societies. Crafting environments that embody the lives of our citizens is not only our societal obligation but also our responsibility as architects. As the foremost value group in Korean architecture, the Korean Institute of Architects will serve the 50 million citizens of our nation.

Esteemed members, I urge you to join us in embracing this mission with the passion and determination of the 34th executive committee, and I sincerely seek your valuable advice and cooperation.

"For the love of Korean architecture embraced by the people,"

I humbly request your profound understanding and active support.

Warm regards,

Han, Young-Keun

President of Korean Institute of Architects