Tae-Hwan Kim, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine at Hanyang University College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea, and a globally recognized authority on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and spondyloarthritis. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held pivotal leadership roles, including serving as the Director of Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and the Chairman of the Korean College of Rheumatology. Professor Kim’s research is at the forefront of understanding the pathogenesis and clinical outcomes of AS. He currently spearheads major national research initiatives supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Patient-Centered Clinical Research Coordinating Center (PACEN), funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). His investigative work focuses on the complex interplay between the microbiome and rheumatic diseases, as well as the development of evidence-based biologics tapering and optimization strategies. As a prolific scholar, Professor Kim has published extensively in premier international journals, including The Lancet, Nature Genetics, and Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD). His landmark studies on genetic risk variants, radiographic progression, and clinical trials for anti-IL-17 and JAK inhibitor therapies have significantly influenced modern treatment protocols. He remains a highly active member of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS), continuing to drive international collaboration and clinical excellence in the field of rheumatology.