Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Currently, we are going through a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, enduring many difficulties in our daily lives, but I hope you are all coping wisely with the current COVID restrictions and challenges.

In conjunction with the Annual Congress, the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID) will hold its 5^th International Meeting (IMKASID 2022) on intestinal diseases to commemorate KASID’s 20^th anniversary. IMKASID 2022 is to be held Thursday, May 12, and Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO).

Since its establishment on November 22, 2012, KASID has played a pivotal role in the development of domestic research on intestinal diseases, and has continuously grown to become a widely recognized organization and a leading scientific society. These outcomes could not have been achieved without the continued attention and active participation of its members, as well as dedicated efforts by the association’s staff and executives. Beginning with successfully hosting the first IMKASID in 2016, KASID has strived to elevate its status as an international academic conference through active academic exchanges with world-renowned researchers in the field of intestinal diseases. KASID has successfully hosted international academic events, even in the highly challenging environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are pleased to inform you about IMKASID 2022.

Recently, rapidly changing medical environments have required significant changes in our medical practices. In response to this demand, we tried to create an optimal environment for learning and acquiring up-to-date knowledge and expertise in the field of intestinal diseases by holding IMKASID 2022 under the slogan “A Great Leap for Intestinal Research: 20 YEARS AND BEYOND”. In addition, we do our utmost to help participants enhance their capabilities through diversification of lectures and presentation topics that encompass various issues in related subfields. In particular, in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cutting-edge issues relevant to prevention and treatment will be discussed, and newly emerging tools and technologies in research and practice will be introduced. Regarding colorectal neoplasia, hot topics on the latest research into its epidemiology and prevention will be addressed, and strategies for high-quality diagnostics and therapeutic colonoscopies will be covered. In addition, the conference will feature lectures on various small bowel diseases and the gut microbiome.

On this 20^th anniversary, KASID stands on the starting line to set and pursue a new vision for the future. Thus, we need to establish future strategies in view of our past successes and failures, and must be fully committed to implementing them. In addition, this is the time for each KASID member to make efforts to achieve notable research accomplishments as a leader in the international scientific community.

I hope IMKASID 2022 will provide all KASID members and participants with an opportunity to acquire knowledge, broaden their viewpoints, and gain new inspiration and stimulation for learning and research.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,