Korea

A small but keen group of authors from Korea have been involved in Cochrane reviews for several years. In 2007, under the co-ordination of Prof Hyeong Sik Ahn from Korea University, the first steps were taken to establish an informal network of Korean contributors as a way of promoting the Cochrane Collaboration, encouraging involvement in Cochrane activities and providing support to review authors.


A visit from Nick Royle, CEO of the Cochrane Collaboration, in July 2007 was followed in November 2007 by the first Cochrane systematic review workshop in Korea. Prof Ahn and Ms Hyun Jung Kim were instrumental in organising the two-day workshop which was held at Korea University in Seoul and attended by over 70 enthusiastic participants from a variety of academic institutions, government agencies and hospitals. The directors of the Australasian Cochrane Centre were supported in the teaching by Prof Ahn and A/Prof Juneyoung Lee of the Dept of Biostatistics, Korea University.

After the workshop, review authors and other interested parties (representing academia and government) came together for the inaugural meeting of the informal Korean Cochrane network.  Following presentations about the Collaboration and other regional initiatives, discussion focused on future activities and priorities. The network is also keen to maintain and develop links with groups involved in Cochrane activities in East Asia.

The coordination of Cochrane activities in Korea is being overseen by Prof Hyeong Sik Ahn. Those interested in becoming involved as an author of a Cochrane review should first contact the relevant Cochrane review group. Prof Ahn is able to offer support and advice, and can help link new contributors with existing review authors.


Local contact:
Prof Hyeong Sik Ahn
Department of Preventive Medicine
Korea University
ahnhs@korea.ac.kr