A Nordic Adventure to SECEC 2025: A Journey of Shoulder Surgeons, Fjords, and Unforgettable Memories

When the 2025 SECEC Congress announced Rotterdam as its host city, many Korean shoulder and elbow surgeons felt both excitement and a sense of adventurous anticipation. Rotterdam, with its modern architecture and vibrant cultural scene, is very different from the more familiar European destinations often chosen for conferences. After months of light-hearted discussion and planning—and with the support of President Hyun-Seok Song and Secretary General Yong-Beom Lee—the travel committee reached a creative conclusion: if the meeting takes us to a dynamic, contemporary city like Rotterdam, why not build an equally memorable journey around it?

And so the idea was born—a Scandinavian tour, highlighted by the breathtaking fjords of Norway.

A Long Journey to the North
On September 12, seventeen eager participants gathered at Incheon International Airport, buzzing with anticipation. With no direct flights to Norway—and a lingering geopolitical detour thanks to the Russia–Ukraine situation—our group endured a marathon 14-hour flight to Amsterdam, followed by another short hop to Bergen on Norway’s western coast.

We arrived late at night, exhausted but exhilarated. After a short rest, our adventure officially began the next morning in Bergen, famously known as an inspiration for the Disney movie Frozen. A crisp cable-car ascent up Mount Fløyen offered sweeping views of the city, marking the official start of our Nordic pilgrimage.

A Taste of Norway—Korean Style
A stroll through the Bergen Fish Market and UNESCO-listed Hanseatic wooden houses offered a glimpse into the nation’s maritime past. The next morning, our group set out for Gudvangen, the gateway to Norway’s legendary fjords.

After an overnight stay, we boarded the famous Sognefjord cruise—a serene journey through towering cliffs and glacier-carved waterways. Snow would have made the scenery even more dramatic, but our group compensated in a uniquely Korean way: with soju and snacks shared on the deck, creating one of the most memorable “K-style fjord parties” the region has ever seen.

Mountains, Waterfalls, and the World’s Most Beautiful Train Ride
The afternoon brought another highlight: the Myrdal Mountain Railway, often hailed as one of the world’s most stunning train routes. Waterfalls, steep valleys, and jagged mountain silhouettes created a cinematic backdrop as our group soaked in the beauty of Norway’s wilderness.

 
Oslo: Art, Architecture, and Early-Morning Running Crews
Days three and four took us to Oslo, where we explored Karl Johans Gate, Oslo City Hall (home of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony), Vigeland Sculpture Park, and the National Museum.

Despite lively nightly gatherings fueled by the food and spirits carefully packed from Korea, our “SECEC Running Crew”—led by the energizer-in-chief, Prof. Seok-Won Jung—rose early each morning. Joined by Professors Sang-Wook Lee, Tae-Hwan Yoon, and fellows Bo-Sung Kim, Eun-Ji Yoon, and Jae-Seong Park, the team enjoyed refreshing dawn jogs through Norway’s cool, crisp air. These runs quickly became one of the most cherished memories of the trip.

From Norway to the Netherlands: The SECEC Congress Begins
With the academic portion of the journey starting on day five, the group traveled to Rotterdam. Between conference sessions, we made side trips to Belgium and Hague, joined this time by Professors Jin-Woong Lee and Jun-Young Kim, who added even more warmth and humor to the group.


 
A Grand Finale in Rotterdam and Amsterdam
For the final two days, our incoming KSES President, Prof. Jung-Woo Kim, joined us. Together we toured Rotterdam’s iconic architecture—the port, the Cube Houses—and then concluded our travels at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, leaving us with a quiet, emotional sense of closure.

On the very last night, the group gathered in front of a peaceful lakeside near our Amsterdam hotel—Prof. Jin-Young Park and his wife, Dr. Tae-Yeon Lee and his wife, President Hyun-Seok Song, incoming President Jung-Woo Kim, Prof. Jae-Gwan Kong, Prof. Sang-Wook Lee, and our fellows. With wine glasses raised, we toasted to an unforgettable journey and lifelong friendships.

Special thanks went to Prof. Sung-Hoon Kim, his wife, and their daughter Sion, whose presence brightened every moment. And deep gratitude to Prof. Jae-Gwan Kong, who completed the entire journey despite severe back pain—his perseverance became one of the trip’s most inspiring stories.

A Journey to Remember—and One to Look Forward To
This Nordic adventure was guided by many pillars: Prof. Jin-Young Park, who always leads our annual European SECEC tours with the wisdom of a “great uncle”; Dr. Tae-Yeon Lee, joining us for his first SECEC trip with his wife; and President Song and Secretary General Lee, who meticulously orchestrated every detail.

My heartfelt appreciation also goes to Professors Tae-Hwan Yoon, Bo-Sung Kim, Eun-Ji Yoon, and Jae-Seong Park, who shared the travel-coordination duties with me throughout this memorable week.

As I close this reflection, I look ahead with excitement and confidence that next year’s ICSES in Vancouver will be another resounding success.

Until then—skål! Cheers to great colleagues, beautiful landscapes, and the kind of fellowship that only travel can create.

Jong-Ho Kim
KSES Travel Coordinator, SECEC 2025
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital
College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea