※ The 3rd Pacific Congress of Psychiatry was held on May 14-18, 1984, Seoul, Korea. 502 registrants (285 Koreans, 216 foreigners) from 14 countries participated. Four plenary sessions, thirteen symposia, four free communications, one satellite symposium, PRCP etc. were held.
Opening Address of the 3rd Pacific Congress of Psychiatry
It is my great pleasure and honor to express, on behalf of the members of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, my hearty welcome to all the participants of this third Pacific Congress of Psychiatry. You have come from 17 countries, most of which helped in Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation and our defense against the North Korean invasion during the Korean War.
Historians are predicting that the center of the world is shifting toward the Pacific region or toward North East Asia. The fact that we are convened as the Pacific Congress seems to signify this trend.
The Pacific region is the meeting ground of the East and the West. In the past the West invaded the East. The East has been trying to learn Western science and the Western way of life ignoring its own traditions by the mechanism of identification with the aggressor.
But now this trend is also shifting, because there are signs that Western science and civilization are coming to a deadlock in solving human problems. The West has started to look toward the East to find a break-through in the deadlock.
On the other hand the East has been absorbing Western science and technology and is beginning to compete with the West in this area. Now the East and the West are looking toward each other.
In this congress we cover every field of psychiatry with particular emphasis on biological and cross-cultural psychiatry. In is my firm conviction that the Pacific Congress should put particular emphasis on cross- or trans cultural psychiatry, not only psychological and social but also biological, such as comparative psychopharmacology.
In this way the East could learn Western psychiatry better and correctly and the West will be able to learn the Tao, which is the highest form of psychotherapy, so that the East and the West be united and mature. The East has to stand on its own feet and the West should learn the Tao and its culture from the East. In this respect this Congress is only a beginning.
The image and history of Korea has been distorted by out nearest neighbors and ignored by the West. Korea is an 'unexpolred mystery'. Besides your scientific activities, you will have the opportunity to explore this mystery through your contact with our people and culture.
I earnestly hope that you will enjoy your stay in our country. Many of our foreign participants are making their first trip to Korea. If any of you should incur any inconveniences during the Congress, please contact the Organizing Committee. Every effort will be made to serve your needs. Every Korean participant will help you.
In conclusion, I sincerely appreciate all the help that was given by so many people in organizing the Congress, especially the Ministry of the Health and Social Affairs, the Korean Medical Association, the Chairman and members of the Organizing committee, presidents of the psychiatric societies of each participating countries and all the companies who are sponsoring the Congress.
Rhee, Dong-Shick, M.D.
President the 3rd Pacific Congress of Psychiatry |
