TOP

Greetings from the President

KPA President
Dear Members of the Korean Psychological Association,

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the 53rd President of the Korean Psychological Association. I take on this role with a strong sense of responsibility.

Founded in 1946 as the Joseon Psychological Association, the Korean Psychological Association celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. Over the past eight decades, the Association has played a leading role in advancing psychology in Korea and has made sustained contributions to society. Through the dedication of our past presidents and the engagement and support of our members, it has grown into the country's largest academic society, with more than 30,000 members.

As we mark this milestone, the question before us is not simply what we have accomplished, but what it will take to prepare for our centennial. Building on this legacy, the 53rd Executive Committee will foster the Association’s continued growth and broaden its impact on Korean society by strengthening the role and capacity of psychology in Korea. We also recognize the responsibility that comes with this moment and aim to lay the groundwork for the Association’s future.

Over the next two years, our work will be guided by the theme “Bringing Psychology into Everyday Life.” We will pursue initiatives that draw on psychological knowledge and expertise to improve quality of life and address the challenges facing Korean society. Our goal is to build an Association that serves the public and responds to the needs of our time, with a mission that the next generation of psychologists will be proud to carry forward.

Throughout our term, we will listen closely to our members and divisions and maintain open, constructive dialogue. We will work to strengthen public trust in the Association and ensure continuity in its major initiatives. I sincerely welcome your continued participation, advice, and support.

September 2026 Ki-Hak Lee

53rd President
Korean Psychological Association

KOREAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

53rd KPA Action Plan

2026 - 2028
VISION

Advancing Psychology in Korean Society

SLOGAN

“Bringing Psychology into Everyday Life”

MISSION

1

Professional
Rights & Interests

  • Support enactment of the Psychological Counselor Act and institutional responses
  • Build an Enforcement Decree response framework
  • Develop a model for a professional association (tentative)
2

Research Capacity
& Internationalization

  • Internationalize the Korean Journal of Psychology
  • Identify support programs for basic psychology research
  • Expand support for early-career and emerging researchers
  • Promote interdisciplinary international events across divisions
3

Member Services
& Communication

  • Improve member services via operational reform and a stronger secretariat
  • Hold regular meetings with division presidents
  • Review options for KPA presidential election reform
4

Psychology in Practice,
Policy & Society

  • Explore a national psychology research institute model
  • Run public psychology events (“Citizens' Concert” series)
  • Strengthen real-world engagement: policy proposals & press releases
5

Financial
Stability

  • Reassess dues-paying membership
  • Develop & run education-based business models
  • Develop a public fundraising model