With the arrival of a vibrant season full of life, I sincerely wish all members continued success and outstanding academic achievements.

Since its establishment in 1992, the Korean Society of Food Preservation has contributed significantly to the advancement of Korea’s food industry by strengthening the academic foundation in the fields of food processing, preservation, distribution, and convergence technologies. Our official journal, Food Science and Preservation, has been indexed in SCOPUS, and we are making continuous efforts toward SCI(E) indexing. In addition, our industry journal, Food Preservation and Processing Industry, is currently being promoted for KCI indexing, reflecting the growing stature of our Society. The remarkable progress we have achieved in becoming a truly internationally recognized academic organization would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts and passion of our former presidents, executive members, and all of you.

Building upon this strong foundation, we are pleased to announce the 47th International Symposium and Annual General Meeting, a truly global academic gathering of our Society. The conference will be held under the theme “Future Food Systems: AI-Driven Innovation Across the Value Chain” from July 22–24, 2026, at the Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) in Gyeongju. In the face of the climate crisis and rapid changes in global supply chains, this conference will provide a valuable opportunity to explore in depth how artificial intelligence—one of the core technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution—across the entire food processing and distribution value chain.

The conference program will feature a plenary lecture by Dr. Deokho Kim, President of the Korea National Food Cluster, titled “Innovative Strategies for Future Food: AI-Driven K-Food Transformation and Value Chain Advancement.” In addition, there will be award recipient lectures, 28 academic sessions, and five international sessions including the Korea–China Symposium. Approximately 300 poster presentations showcasing the latest research findings and 32 exhibition booths will be featured. Furthermore, a variety of programs for emerging researchers are prepared, including a graduate student presentation competition, workshops on AI-assisted scientific writing and patents, and capstone design competition.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Organizing Committee, the secretariat staff, and all those who have contributed to the successful preparation of this conference. I also deeply appreciate the generous support from related institutions and industry partners despite the challenging circumstances.

We hope this conference will serve as a meaningful platform not only for sharing future visions of the food industry amidst the rich historical atmosphere of Gyeongju, but also for fostering academic exchange and strengthening professional networks.

We cordially invite you to join us and look forward to your valuable participation.
Wishing you and your families continued happiness and prosperity. Thank you.