The history of Seoul National University College of Medicine goes back to 1885, when Kwanghaewon, the first modern hospital, was established in Korea. Accordingly, government-organized Medical School was newly setup in 1899. During Japanese colonial occupation in 1910-1945, the school renamed two times (Chosun Government General Hospital Attached Training School in 1910, Kyongsong Medical College in 1916). Meanwhile, Kyongsong Imperial University Faculty of Medicine, the highest institution of medical education in colonial Chosun, was established in 1926. During this time, Dermatology-Urology Section was operated mostly by Japanese doctors ('Kyongsong' is an old name of Seoul). After Liberation from Japanese in 1945, Kyongsong Imperial University was renamed to Kyongsong University. In 1946, two institutions, the Kyongsong Medical College and Kyongsong University Faculty of Medicine, were integrated into Seoul National University College of Medicine. The Department of Urology was established from the beginning and since then, our department became the cornerstone in the development of urology in our country and has remained on the leading edge of patient care, education and research. Since its foundation, eight professors have served as the chairman of our department.

1. Dr. Jae Wee Choi, the first Chairman (1946-1949), the founder of modern urology in Korea: Dr. Choi who served as one of a few Korean lecturers in Kyongsong Imperial University Faculty of Medicine under Japanese rule was inaugurated as the first chairman of our department. He established an independent Urology ward reforming old Dermatology-Urology ward of Kyongsong Imperial University Hospital and set up operating room, cystoscopy room, and outpatient department for Urology. Dr. Choi established our Department of Urology as one of surgical departments in name and reality. The founding of our department in 1946 marked the opening of the first urology specialty in modern Korean history.

2. Dr. Hak Song Lee, the second Chairman (1949-1969): In this period, the national tragedy of Korean War broke out, and our department suffered great deal of human and material losses, being unable to continue developments. In December of 1950, Dr. Lee went to America and performed research studies at Johns Hopkins University Hospitals under the guidance of Professor Scott. After coming back to Korea, he became the driving force behind the restoration efforts of our department. In 1960, with the grants from Dr. Lee, the first issue of 'The Korean Journal of Urology' was published, and subsequent development of the journal is credited to Dr. Lee for getting the journal on right track.

3. Dr. Kun Weon Choo, the third Chairman (1969-1978): Dr. Choo founded dialysis room which first opened on October 13, 1969. His vigorous research eventually resulted in successful kidney transplantation. Also, as the prevalence of urolithiasis and bladder tumor increased, the technical advances in renal stone surgery and the development of radical cystectomy along with urinary diversion using ileal segments were achieved.

4. Dr. Young Kyoon Kim, the fourth Chairman (1978-1980): In January of 1979, the urology ward was moved into the present ward 72 of the new main hospital building. In addition, outpatient department was equipped with new facilities, and our department began using no.1 operating room. Also the cystoscopy room was brought into the surgical theater. In 1979, the equipment for urodynamic study was first introduced into our country.

5. Dr. Hee Yong Lee, the fifth Chairman (1980-1982): Dr. Lee founded 'Infertility Clinic' for the first time in Korea, which instantly received nation-wide spotlight. In addition, there being no organized group or association for the field of andrology in our country, Dr. Lee led the way to the establishment of 'The Korea Andrological Society' in January 1982. 'The Korea Andrological Society' is the first legitimate subdivision of 'The Korean Urological Association', and has been receiving recognition for playing a leading role in the international setting.

6. Dr. Young Kyoon Kim, the sixth Chairman (1982-1986): On Decemebr 15, 1983, the first 'Korea-Japan Urological Congress' was held in Kobe, Japan, by Dr. Kim and Japanese colleagues. Also, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, which is the first university hospital for pediatric patient in Asia, opened on October 16, 1985. Dr. Hwang Choi was appointed as the chief of the Pediatric Urology Division, opening a new era of pediatric urology in our country.

7. Dr. Si Whang Kim, the seventh Chairman (1986-1992): In November 1986, Dr. Kim introduced the technique of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, leading to decreases in the duration of hospital stay and postoperative pain. And in March 1989, shock wave lithotriptor was installed in surgical theater, opening a new era in the management of urolithiasis. Also, on April 20, 1991, the first 'Seoul Urological Symposium' was held by the department and alumni. This symposium, an annual event, has been focusing on many subjects of clinical interest, becoming a stepping-stone for development of Korean urological society.

8. Dr. Chongwook Lee, the eight Chairman (1992-1996): With the financial supports from the staffs and the alumni of our department, the refurnishing project of our department was completed in October 1994, and more comfortable surroundings were provided to the residents for studying and research activities. Also, Dr. Kun Weon Choo, a professor emeritus, led the way to the publication of 'The History of Our Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine' on October 14, 1994, assessing over 50-year history of our department.

9. Dr. Hwang Choi, the ninth Chairman (1996-2001. 9): Dr. Jae-Seung Paick worked to orchestrate the opening of 'Female Incontinence Clinic' in August 1996. In December of the same year, 'Pediatric Urology 1996 (Biennale)' was held for the first time. In addition, the relocation of pediatric ward and the reorganization of operating room, cystoscopy room, and room for shock wave lithotriptor brought about better environment for clinical practices. In June 1998, our department was given spaces in Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute and set up our own laboratory which provided opportunity for accelerating our experimental studies on uro-oncology, smooth muscle physiology, andrology, and urolithiasis.

10. Dr. Sang Eun Lee. the tenth Chairman (2001. 9 - 2003. 3): With the promotion of Dr. Hwang Choi to the director of Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Dr. Sang Eun Lee subsequently succeeded him as the chairman of our department. And along with many advances in IT technology, several changes also took place in the way office works were conducted in our department. E-mail became a popular communicative tool, and many efforts were exerted to streamline the executive work. In Jun 2002, Urodynamic instruments were upgraded, and specially-trained personnels performed the study more effectively. Since then, all urodynamic studies were performed in the videourodynamic setting. And in addition, as with other fields of the surgery, minimally-invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy began to be applied frequently in the treatment of various renal diseases of both children and adults.

11. Dr. Jae-Seung Paick, the eleventh Chairman (2003. 3 - present): In March 2003, Dr. Jae-Seung Paick took office as the 11th chairman of our department, and the drive for developments of our department in all areas were started under newly-organized system.