It is very difficult to produce a good medical journal, and it is even harder to produce an influential journal in a specific medical field. Nonetheless, I do not think that we clearly understand the path of becoming a good or even adequate journal. We usually estimate a journal’s degree of progress towards its goals by scoring it. Indexation in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Scopus, PubMed Central (PMC), and other databases is the ruler used to measure a journal’s quality, and scholars and academic societies judge the level of a journal based on a list of these indexing services.

If a journal is indexed in prestigious databases, its value is elevated, it becomes popular, and authors are willing to pay high publication fees. In turn, scholars receive reimbursement from their universities, and the universities maintain or improve their reputations. Then, a so-called good journal becomes more and more popular, to the point that it is difficult and competitive for authors to be published in it.

After the Korean Journal of Transplantation (KJT) was accepted for inclusion in Scopus, we have been detecting small changes. Submissions from international and domestic authors are increasing, and more scholars now show an interest in KJT. I think that we at least no longer have to worry about submissions. Therefore, do these changes mean that KJT is starting to be a good journal?

I do not think so. In my opinion, a good journal is one with its own ethical standards that maintains its initial purpose and aims of publication. We will keep our word regarding free publication (without an author processing charge), open access, and support for transplantation-underdeveloped countries, especially in the Asian region. We will also do our best to publish high-quality articles.

In the current issue, we are publishing 10 articles, including two articles by international authors, two articles on ethical issues, and two basic studies. I believe that a variety of authors and topics is among the strengths that make us a good journal. Thank you.