The Korean Foot and Ankle Society was officially launched with its inaugural general assembly on June 12, 1991. On July 26 of the same year, the society took its first steps in academic activities by holding the 1st Academic Conference and Inaugural Assembly of the Korean Society of Foot Surgery at Hallym University Gangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. The 2nd Academic Conference and General Assembly were held on October 28, 1992, making the conference a regular event. Subsequently, it was held annually, expanding the society's presence. Notably, the publication of the inaugural issue of the Journal of the Korean Society of Foot Surgery on October 28, 1997, laid the foundation for recording and accumulating academic achievements. On May 21, 2000, the society officially launched its educational programs by initiating the Instructional Course Lecture, and on November 17 of the same year, it held the 10th Academic Conference and General Assembly.

The 2000s were a period when the society solidified its academic foundation and established its organizational and institutional framework. Starting in 2000, it began holding annual Instructional Course Lectures to systematically deliver specialized knowledge and the latest insights in the foot and ankle field, establishing this as an educational platform for both residents and specialists. In March 2001, led by member In-Heon Park, the 4th Asian Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AFFAS) meeting was successfully hosted on Jeju Island, bringing together approximately 300 attendees from 10 countries. From 2003, the previously annual academic conference was expanded to a biannual system, broadening the arena for academic exchange and significantly increasing opportunities for research presentations and discussions among members. In 2004, the society clarified its academic identity by officially changing its name and its journal's name to the 「Korean Foot and Ankle Society」and the「Journal of the Korean Foot and Ankle Society」, respectively. In 2006, the official website was revamped to lay the groundwork for information sharing and international exchange. That same year, the Korea-Japan Traveling Fellow program was introduced to encourage overseas training and international academic exchanges for young members, serving as a catalyst for expanding the society's international network. In 2010, the publication of the textbook 「The Foot and Ankle」 presented an academic standard for the domestic foot and ankle field, marking a milestone that further strengthened the society's educational and academic standing.

The 2010s were marked by the society's academic maturation, the specialization of sub-disciplines, and a notable strengthening of its international presence. In 2011, celebrating its 20th anniversary, the society held a commemorative academic conference and special projects to highlight its achievements, taking this opportunity to redefine its academic identity and vision. Starting in 2011, the publication frequency of the journal was increased from twice a year to four times a year. The spring and fall academic conferences continued to evolve, and symposia focusing on sub-specialties—such as trauma (since 2012) and diabetic foot (since 2014)—were expanded to promote academic development in each specific area. Additionally, clinical and research capabilities were systematically enhanced through programs like symposia for private practitioners. Academic exchanges within the Asian region were solidified by regularizing joint international Foot & Ankle Symposia. The journal also firmly established its prestige as a professional academic publication through continuous quality improvement, and in 2019, the revised edition (2nd edition) of 「The Foot and Ankle」textbook was published to reflect the latest insights and surgical techniques.

The 2020s have been a period of seeking both continuity and advancement for the society amidst the unprecedented environmental changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The society maintained its academic activities by adopting online and hybrid academic conference systems, building a new model for digital-based education and academic exchange. In 2021, to mark its 30th anniversary, 「The 30-Year History of the Korean Foot and Ankle Society」 was published, chronicling its journey over the past three decades and proposing future directions for development. Members' research activities have also continued to expand, leading to a steady increase in the number of papers published in domestic and international journals. Clinical experience in sub-specialties—such as minimally invasive surgery, sports injuries, diabetic foot, reconstructive surgery, and artificial joint arthroplasty—has accumulated, and research capabilities have become highly sophisticated.

As an extension of this progress, the Korean Foot and Ankle Society hosted the International Federation of Foot & Ankle Societies (IFFAS) 2024 at COEX in Seoul. The event kicked off with the Asian Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AFFAS) conference on May 30, 2024, and ran until June 1, 2024. Under the theme "Meet the knowledge and beautifulness," it successfully concluded with over 1,500 attendees from 45 countries across 6 continents.

Since its inaugural meeting in Naples, Italy, in 2005, IFFAS has established itself as the leading international federation representing the global foot and ankle field. IFFAS 2024 in Seoul held significant meaning as the first global foot and ankle conference held after the normalization of international exchanges post-pandemic. It was also effectively the first IFFAS event held in Asia since the planned 2011 event in Japan was canceled due to the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Currently, building on the academic traditions accumulated over 30 years, the Korean Foot and Ankle Society continues its ongoing leap forward by developing education, research, and international exchange in a balanced manner, all while strengthening the education of future generations and global cooperation .