* Dr. Youngmee Jee, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), opened the 78th World Health Assembly on Monday, May 19, during the plenary session, as the Vice-President of the 77th World Health Assembly. 

Dr. Youngmee Jee, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency attended the Plenary of the 78th World Health Assembly to officially declare the opening of the Assembly and appoint the Credentials Committee*. 

* Committee of Credentials: a committee that determines the adequacy of the credentials of Member State delegations attending the General Assembly, composed of nine countries with regional representation and political neutrality.

Since she served as a Vice President of the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024, she remained in this role until the election of the 78th World Health Assembly Presidency in 2025. 

* Dr. Jee is shaking hands with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.

After calling the meeting to order and appointing the Credentials Committee, Dr. Jee declared the election of Dr. Teodoro Harbosa, Secretary of Health of the Philippines, as the President of the 78th World Health Assembly, and handed over to the seat to the next President.

“Amidst a rapidly changing international landscape, multilateral cooperation remains critical to improving the health of people around the world,” said Dr. Youngmee Jee, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). ”I believe that attending the 78th World Health Assembly this year will be an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with international organizations and other countries and expand Korea's leadership in health sector.”