Opening Address by President Hyung-wook Kwon at the 2025 International Conference of the Korean Society of Prevention and Disinfection (KSPD)

The Korean Society of Prevention and Disinfection (KSPD) held its 2025 International Conference, providing a forum for academic research aimed at enhancing the safety of everyday life for the public.

From December 2 to 3, the 2025 International Conference of KSPD was co-hosted with the Institute of Vector-Borne Diseases at Incheon National University under the theme “Professional Pest Control for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”

The opening ceremony featured congratulatory remarks from National Assembly Member Ju-min Park, Seung-kwan Lim, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), and Hye-in Heo, Director of the Chemical Products Management Division, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Gi-geun Cho, Vice President of CESCO Co., Ltd.; Deok-ho Choi, President of the Korea Association of Biocidal Products for Household Chemical Products; Seong-su Kim, President of the Korea Pest Control Association; and Jong-cheol Yoo, President of the Korea Livestock Quarantine and Sanitation Management Association, among others.

In addition, approximately 300 participants from industry, academia, research institutes, the military, and government—including the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the Institute of Vector-Borne Diseases at Incheon National University, Seoul National University, Kyungpook National University, the Incheon Institute of Health and Environment, municipal and provincial public health centers, CESCO Co., Ltd., S-TEC System Co., Ltd., ST Environment Co., Ltd., the Korea Pest Control Association, the Korea Livestock Quarantine and Sanitation Management Association, and the Korean Dental Hygienists Association—gathered to share the latest research and technological trends for effectively responding to the growing threats of vector-borne diseases (mosquitoes, ticks, flies, etc.) driven by global infectious disease spread and climate change.

The conference program included an opening ceremony followed by a keynote address and invited international lectures, highlighted by Professor Daniel Allen Hahn of the University of Florida, who spoke on “Sterile Insect Technique for Mosquito Control: Lessons from Urban Environments in Florida, USA.” The event also featured oral and poster presentations, an exhibition of pest control equipment and emerging technologies, and expert panel discussions.

Hyung-wook Kwon, President of KSPD and Professor in the Division of Life Sciences at Incheon National University as well as Director of the Institute of Vector-Borne Diseases, stated, “Pest control has evolved into a complex challenge that requires not only on-site responses but also scientific research, policy decision-making, and the establishment of international cooperation frameworks. The Korean Society of Prevention and Disinfection will continue to devote itself to building a professional knowledge base, strengthening interdisciplinary research, and expanding international cooperation to develop future response strategies.”

Through its role as a platform for exchange where pest control experts from industry, academia, research institutions, the military, and government convene to share research outcomes, the Society aims to further accelerate the development of the domestic and global pest control and disinfection industry for infectious disease prevention, while striving to achieve the highest level of technology in vector-borne disease management.