Evolution to a Renowned International Journal

Since 1974 when the Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was first published, 179 issues have been published. Considering that the Korean Society of Plastic and Re-constructive Surgeons (KSPRS) was founded in 1966, it is certain that many forerunners in the Society made a great effort to publish the Journal in its embryonic stage. We have finally published six issues every year since 1989, having earlier initiated semi-annual publication in 1976, triannual publication in 1982, and quarterly publication in 1983. I want to express appreciation for the ongoing effort of many editors-in-chief who maintained a tradition of the Journal worthy of its name as a professional journal of Korean specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery [1]. As many of you know, the last Korean language issue of the Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was published with 31 articles in the November 2011, and the Journal has finally been transformed into an English version beginning in 2012. After vigorous discussion and debate, the Journal has been renamed Archives of Plastic Surgery (Arch Plast Surg, APS). Moreover, over the past year, we have had an ongoing effort to establish all the infrastructure and resources necessary to successfully undertake this transition to an English language journal: to run a new website, maintain an English online submission system , appoint more than 20 international reviewers, secure more than 80 internal reviewers, and invite 10 review article contributors. Our journal now meets you with its new cover design and contents. Though there had already been increasing submission of English language articles to the original Korean Journal, our new English language Journal evidences the willingness of our academic society's progressive attitude toward pursuing globalization and keeping up with medical tourism, a task national in scope. I am eager for this English journal to bring good news to many members who generously participate in overseas volunteer work and plastic treatment, and to the Korean plastic surgeons who give lectures or presentations abroad. Also I earnestly want Archives of Plastic Surgery to build connections among plastic surgeons of various countries, including Asian countries other than Korea, to share information, and to encourage academic interaction. Archives of Plastic Surgery is intended to bring in the participation of more readers through monthly publication despite present principle of six publications a year with three peer reviews. This will open the door for …