A pivotal year for growth
The year 2025 marked a pivotal turning point for the Korean Journal of Family Medicine (KJFM). We witnessed an unprecedented surge in interest from the global research community, receiving 411 manuscripts, which is the highest number in the journal’s history. This represents a significant upward trend from the 360 submissions received in 2024. Notably, 359 of these submissions were from international authors, reflecting a rapidly expanding global footprint. To uphold the highest scientific standards, the Editorial Board maintained a rigorous peer-review process, resulting in an annual acceptance rate of approximately 12.2%. In terms of publication output, KJFM published 62 articles in 2025, up from 48 in the previous year, and successfully diversified its content with 37 original articles, eight reviews, and 11 letters to the editor.
Quantitative growth and systemic enhancements
The most notable achievement of 2025 was a significant increase in our bibliometric indicators. After recording a Journal Impact Factor (JIF) of 1.4 in the previous year, KJFM achieved a JIF of 2.6 in the 2024 Journal Citation Reports (released in June 2025). This outstanding growth positioned KJFM in the first quartile (Q1) of the primary healthcare category. In parallel with this quantitative growth, we implemented significant structural changes to enhance the user experience. The journal’s website was fully updated with a responsive web design and the introduction of graphical abstracts.
2025 research trends: broadening the scope of primary care
In 2025, KJFM focused on three pivotal areas that reflect the evolving landscape of family medicine. First, we reaffirmed the importance of traditional lifestyle factors by publishing extensive research on alcohol consumption and smoking cessation [1-4], while also addressing emerging challenges such as the rising use of heated tobacco products (e-cigarettes) [5]. Second, the journal highlighted the health of vulnerable populations, specifically adolescents and women. Key publications have explored contemporary issues, ranging from smartphone overdependence and adolescent drinking to the impact of maternal working hours on children’s health [6-8]. We also facilitated critical discussions on reproductive health, including contraception and perceptions of menstrual cups [9,10]. Third, we addressed social determinants and healthcare systems, featuring timely analyses of healthcare workforce dynamics and the dissemination of health information [11,12].
Connecting to 2026
Building on this momentum, we carried it into the first issue of 2026 (Vol. 47, No. 1). We further deepened our inquiry into these core themes, focusing on comprehensive metabolic care, mindbody connections, and social equity. Building on our lifestyle research, this issue provides a timely review of current guidelines and future directions for obesity assessment, setting a clinical standard for primary care [13]. Original studies further investigated the intricate links between lifestyle and metabolic health by examining how sleep duration and skipping breakfast influence obesity [14,15]. We also expanded our perspective on social and mental health. The intersection of psychological well-being and physical health is highlighted in studies linking depression with diet quality and mental disorders with uncontrolled hypertension [16,17]. Furthermore, our commitment to social equity continues with research on mortality disparities among infants born to unmarried families [18]. We will continue to invite high-quality review articles and focus on emerging topics to enhance the journal’s academic influence.
Gratitude
None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication of our reviewers, editorial board members, and authors. I extend my deepest gratitude to the reviewers who generously donated their time and expertise to ensure the quality of KJFM. As we proceed to 2026, we look forward to your continued support in making KJFM a leading journal in primary care medicine.
Our 2025 reviewers
Abdallah Alzoubi Jordan University of Science and Technology
Punitha Arinima University Sains Malaysia
Hafizuddin Awang Universiti Sains Malaysia
Woo Kyung Bae Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Bijit Biswas All India Institute of Medical Sciences Deoghar
Min Cheol Chang Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Yeugnam University Hospital
Su Hwan Cho Seoul National University Hospital
Young Gyu Cho Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital
Eun Kyung Choe Seoul National University Hospital
Ho Chun Choi Seoul National University Hospital
Yoon-Jung Choi National Cancer Center
Youn Seon Choi Korea University Guro Hospital
Habib Erensoy Uskudar University
Jong Soo Han Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Muhammad Jawad Hashim United Arab Emirates University
Syahnaz Mohd Hashim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre
Youn Huh Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University
Nur Suhaila Idris Universiti Sains Malaysia
Teruhiko Imamura University of Toyama
Muhammad Irfan Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Youngmin Jee Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital
Eunjin Jeong Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital
Su Min Jeong Seoul National University School of Medicine
Hyun Joe Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital
Nam Seok Joo Ajou University Hospital
EunKyo Kang National Cancer Center
Jihun Kang Kosin University Gospel Hospital
Sung-Goo Kang The Catholic University of Korea, St. Vincent’s Hospital
Mesut Karahan Üsküdar University
Mikiro Kato Mito Kyodo General Hospital
Dae Hyun Kim Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center
Jong Koo Kim Wonju Severance Christian Hospital
Jung Hwan Kim Eulji University Eulji General Hospital
Kyae Hyung Kim Seoul National University Hospital
Seung Hee Kim Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital
Soo Young Kim Hallym University Gangdong Sacred Heart Hospital
Young-Sang Kim CHA Bundang Medical Center
Ahryoung Ko Seoul National University Hospital
Hae Jin Ko Kyungpook National University Hospital
Cheolmin Lee Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital
Eon Sook Lee Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital
Jae Ho Lee College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea
Ji Eun Lee Kangbuk Samsung Medical Center
Ka Young Lee Inje University Busan Paik Hospital
Kiheon Lee Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Seung Hun Lee Pusan National University Hospital
Seung-Hwa Lee Seongnam City Medical Center
Khasnur Abd Malek Universiti Teknologi MARA
Noraini Mohamad Universiti Sains Malaysia
khalid bin Mokti Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Juliawati Muhammad Universiti Sains Malaysia
Seung Kwon Myung National Cancer Center
Haidar Nadrian Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Ga Eun Nam Korea University Guro Hospital
Hye Mi Noh Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital
Bumjo Oh SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center
Jin-Kyoung Oh National Cancer Center
Seung-Won Oh Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital
Yun Hwan Oh Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital
Yu Jin Paik Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital
Hoon Ki Park Hanyang University Medical Center
Joo-Hyun Park Korea University Ansan Hospital
Minseon Park Seoul National University Hospital
Seung Guk Park Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital
Young Su Park Seoul National University
Denny Anggoro Prakoso Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
In Sun Ryou Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital
Yoobin Seo Wonkwang University Sanbon Hospital
Dong Wook Shin Samsung Medical Center
Mokhtar Soheylizad Hamadan University of Medical Sciences
Yeo Ju Sohn Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital
Joung Sik Son Seongbuk Woori Children’s Hospital
Ki Young Son Asan Medical Center
Hong Ji Song Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital
Jeslyn Tengkawan Capella Project Foundation
Shyh Poh Teo Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital
Yohwan Yeo Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital
Hua Hie Yong Cancer Council Victoria
Keun Sang Yum The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital
Jae Moon Yun Seoul National University Hospital
Nurul Azreen Yusof University Sultan Zainal Abidi
Footnotes
Conflict of interest
Seung-Won Oh is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal but was not involved in the peer reviewer selection, evaluation, or decision process of this article. Except for that, no other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.
Funding
None.
Data availability
Not applicable.
Author contribution
All the work was done by Seung-Won Oh.
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