Dear, the members of KLASS,

Hello, KLASS enthusiasts!
Since our establishment in 2004, the Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study Group (KLASS) has been at the forefront of laparoscopic techniques and clinical research in gastric cancer surgery. As a leading research group within THE KOREAN GASTRIC CANCER ASSOCIATION, we take pride in our global contributions to minimally invasive surgery, particularly in the field of gastric cancer.

KLASS is dedicated to advancing medical practices and enhancing patient quality of life through the development and research of innovative gastrointestinal surgical methods using laparoscopy, robotics, NOTES, and more. Over the past two decades, we've published numerous influential multicenter research findings in renowned international journals, establishing the evidence necessary for standardizing laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

Moreover, we've fostered substantial academic collaborations with East Asian countries like Japan and China, continuously elevating our research standards. Our unwavering commitment has aimed to establish "Global Standardization" for laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery.

Now, KLASS has entered its 20th year. It's time for us to leap forward as the leading research society in surgical clinical studies. We aim to not only focus on gastric cancer and minimally invasive surgery but also standardize surgical techniques in robotics. We aspire to represent the Asia-Pacific region and collaborate with the global surgical community. We anticipate that KLASS will continue to serve as the original platform for surgical clinical research, fostering the activation of new, meaningful clinical studies, particularly led by young researchers.

Thank you, and we look forward to the exciting journey ahead.

Seung-Wan Ryu, MD. PhD.
President, The Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study group