The 2026 regular general meeting and New Year's ceremony

will be held, with Professor Kim Sang-min of Gyeongsang National University inaugurated as the new president.

The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers officially announced its leap forward toward its 70th anniversary by sharing its vision for the new year and mid- to long-term development strategy.

On the 15th, the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers held its 2026 regular general meeting and New Year's reception, sharing the society's vision for the new year and mid- to long-term development direction.

The event was attended by a large number of participants from universities and research institutes nationwide, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, businesses, and related organizations, including the Korea Rural Community Corporation, reflecting the strong interest in agricultural engineering. Bringing together academia, industry, and public institutions, the event served as a forum for discussion on the present and future of agricultural engineering.

At the regular general meeting, Professor Kim Sang-min of Gyeongsang National University was officially inaugurated as the new president. 

In his inaugural address, newly appointed President Kim Sang-min stated, "In a rapidly changing agricultural and rural environment, we will strengthen the academic role and social responsibility of agricultural engineering and leap forward as a practical academic society that connects the field and policy." He also announced plans to enhance the international standing of Korean agricultural engineering by expanding the global research network and fostering exchanges with overseas academic societies and research institutes. He also announced plans to regularly host the "Future Vision Forum" to broaden participation among researchers and practitioners across diverse fields within agricultural engineering, including digital agriculture, groundwater management, and regional development. 

Chairman Kim emphasized, "Through the Future Vision Forum, we will provide a forum for discussion that transcends academic boundaries, and by continuously sharing a new vision for agricultural engineering that links digital technology, resource management, and regional development, we will ensure that the society serves as a policy and technology platform that leads the future of agriculture and rural areas."

The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers has designated 2026 as the "Year of Leap Forward," and plans to actively pursue a mid- to long-term strategy centered on strengthening academic competitiveness, expanding industry and policy linkages, and fostering the next generation of researchers ahead of the society's 70th anniversary in 2027.

The event also featured a special lecture. Lee Jeong-jae, Professor Emeritus of Seoul National University and former President of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers, spoke on the topic, "Opportunities for Our Agricultural Industry and Agricultural Engineering," explaining that agricultural engineering plays a role beyond technical support and is linked to the structural transformation of the agricultural industry.

The honorary professor highlighted the structural problems facing Korea's agricultural industry and the need for transformation, pointing out changes in the global economy and international politics, as well as the rising strategic value of food and resources.

In particular, as the limitations of the existing agricultural structure become clear due to the declining and aging farming population, agricultural engineering must pursue new breakthroughs by establishing a production base, efficiently using water and land resources, and leveraging science and technology to reduce labor and enhance industrial competitiveness. Furthermore, he emphasized that smart agriculture, data-driven agriculture, and the redesign of production bases are key areas where agricultural engineering can play a leading role. 

Officials attending the event said, “This regular general meeting and New Year’s ceremony were an opportunity to redefine the role of agricultural engineering and declare a new beginning toward the 70th anniversary,” and added, “We hope that agricultural engineering will make further advancements as a core field supporting national food security and the sustainability of rural areas.”

출처 : 한국농업신문(http://www.newsfarm.co.kr)
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