Dear Rotary Members,

As you may recall, last April, President-elect SangKoo Yun informed us all of his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and his decision to step back from Rotary responsibilities so he could focus on his treatment. Today, President-elect SangKoo notified me in a letter that he has decided to resign as President-elect of Rotary International after extensive consultation with his doctors. In his message, he shared the following sentiments:

“My doctors have advised that it may not be possible for me to meet the demanding travel and schedule required of our President. As much as I wish to serve in this role, I must honor that advice.”

“It has been a tremendous honor and pleasure to be given the opportunity to lead our organization. I will continue to serve however I can, and my love for Rotary and my commitment to our mission remains unshaken.”

On behalf of the Rotary International Board and with a heavy heart, I accepted SangKoo’s resignation. While it is a difficult decision, we deeply appreciate SangKoo’s thoughtful consideration and his focus on the best interest of Rotary.

The Board will convene soon to determine next steps. We will keep you updated on any further developments.

I want to thank SangKoo for his tremendous service, leadership and contributions to our organization. Please join me in wishing him a swift recovery and good health in the future.

With warm regards,

Francesco Arezzo
President, Rotary International, 2025-26