2019 marks the 20^th year since the Korean Counseling Association was launched in June 2000. I am very impressed and feel a great sense of responsibility of responsibility to be the 10th President of the academic community.

So far, the Korean Counseling Association has made many achievements by specializing in counseling, contributing to our national society, and improving the rights and interests of counselors. As of the end of October 2018, the KCA became Korea's leading professional counseling society with 26,144 members and 6,989 consultants, 14 science societies, nine regional associations, 11 standing committees, and nine special committees. Along with the publication of professional journals such as Call Studies, Case Studies and Realities, and JAPC International Studies Magazine, we are leading the development of Korean consultation through various academic activities such as an annual academic conference, an integrated academic conference and case presentation meeting, a BBLS consultation paper sharing meeting, and a four season-training meeting. In addition, the Commission conducts counseling research and counseling activities in all areas of society, including various academic events, case presentations, and counseling services for countries and communities.

Despite these breakthroughs, however, there are still many more things to do in terms of the institutionalization of counseling, the promotion of professional status, and the activation of the use of counseling services by the general public. In addition, there are many tasks for the consultation community to take the lead in. These include preparing for social change caused by the 4th Industrial Revolution, preparing for the unification of the two Koreas through the atmosphere of inter-Korean reconciliation, and increasing the demand for counseling due to various social problems.

So I'd like to do the following tasks with the 10th management team.

My first priority is the legalization of counseling. Our society has worked hard to institutionalize counseling in ways such as establishing counseling laws, certifying state accreditation status, developing NCSs, and realizing that many lawmakers, government officials, and the general public need counseling laws. Now, we need to ensure that counseling is no longer a private area of care, but a public area that the state and local governments must manage transparently. We must make sure that our professional consultants are professionals with unique tasks and expertise that are distinct from psychiatrists, clinicians, social workers, and nurses in the field of course. To this end, we will continue our efforts to enact laws and regulations, include the local and national governments' policy and participation in projects, strengthen the use of NCS, and establish a system of counseling education and certification.

Second, I will work towards establishing the identity of the Korean Counseling Association. Our society has a broad academic and regional structure of 14 science societies and 9 regional societies, with many senior scholars who have made history for more than 20 years. Variety sometimes leads to chaos, but it can also create a beautiful whole, like a seven-color rainbow. We will make sure that the unique resources and characteristics of the Korean Counseling Association are fully utilized through the compilation of our 20-year history, the invitation event for senior citizens, policy research by the Subdivision Society, and the activation of the association event for regional and branch science societies. In addition, we will activate online and offline communication channels to ensure that these positions are communicated smoothly, but we will establish certain frameworks and standards for maintaining the identity of the Korean Counseling Association.

Third, we must improve the professionalism of counselors while protecting their rights and interests. Counselor training is said to be a high-cost, low-margin structure. In fact, while the formal curriculum at universities and graduate schools does not typically include measures to improve professionalism, a private-level structure, such as our academic community, can only make a high-cost impression. Therefore, the association will require that schools officially provide education to the level of certificates issued by our society, and that those who have completed such courses will be allowed to obtain academic certificates or state certificates. For this, we will establish a counseling education certification system and try to link it with professional counseling qualifications. Through this process, we will create jobs where qualified counselors can perform to their full capacity, protect the rights and interests of each person to counsel safely in their respective positions, and strive to become a trusted advisor with a strong sense of ethics.

Fourth, we must invest efforts into the popularization of counseling. The need and effectiveness of counseling has been recognized through efforts in many areas including school counseling, youth counseling, disaster counseling, business counseling, military counseling, and multicultural counseling. However, many people still doubt the professionalism of counseling, or think that counseling services are out of their reach. In response, we will strive to increase the awareness and utilization of professional counseling by the public, including online and offline promotion of professional counseling, cultural activities, online and smart-based counseling services, more convenient public consultation services, and rapid, professional response to various social crises. In addition, we will hold an annual academic conference beginning in 2020 with the American Society and other international counseling associations, as we prepare for co-hosting the 2022 Global Cognitive Action Treatment International Studies Conference, continue the overseas Korean counseling service program, and strive to enhance the reputation of the Korean Counseling Association in the international community.

This kind of business can only be accomplished through the active interest and participation of its members. During my two-year term, I and other senior members of the Korean Counseling Association will strive to further promote consultation in Korea and contribute to the well-being and growth of the people. I ask all of you to join me with your unstinting support and constructive opinions. Thank you.