Song Jae-hoon

By Kim Tae-gyu

Song Jae-hoon is now the man in charge of Samsung Medical Center, as of Friday, as well as the medical college of Sungkyunkwan University. Both the medical center and ivory tower are connected to the near ubiquitous Samsung Group.

The eighth leader of the Seoul-based hospital is a well-known expert in the field of infections and resistance to antibiotics ― he also heads the Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pneumococci (ANSORP).

``Song is expected to facilitate synergy between Samsung Medical Center and Sungkyunkwan University as he is set to oversee both outfits now,’’ an official of the medical center said.

``Based on his charismatic stewardship and expertise, we expect him to catapult the hospital to reach world-class status.’’

Song himself founded ANSORP in 1996 and has held a biennial event of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research since then. He also founded the Asia Pacific Foundation for Infectious Diseases in 2000.

The 53-year-old completed his Ph.D. at Seoul National University and joined Samsung Medical Center in 1995 where he assumed consecutive major positions thereafter.

His extensive knowledge and background in infections and resistance to antibiotics is anticipated to help the country combat the overly high usage of antibiotics.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Korea suffers from extreme antibiotic use.