Medical Association Delegates Reinitiate No-Confidence Motion Against President Im Hyun-taek

"Unable to Respond to Medical School Expansion and Nursing Law"
Doctor's Reputation Tarnished Due to 'Controversial Remarks'

A motion of no confidence is being pushed against Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the medical community on the 22nd, Cho Hyun-geun, a delegate of the KMA General Assembly, recently sent consent forms to delegates to convene an extraordinary general meeting to propose a motion of no confidence against President Im Hyun-taek.

Within the medical community, criticism has been raised that since his inauguration in May this year, President Im has failed to properly respond to government policies such as increasing medical school quotas and the enactment of the Nursing Act. There have also been continuous accusations that his controversial remarks have tarnished the honor of doctors.

According to the KMA bylaws, a motion of no confidence against the president must be proposed with the consent of at least one-third of the total delegates. A no-confidence motion can be made if the president is sentenced to imprisonment or higher, seriously infringes on members' rights and interests, or significantly damages the association's honor.

Delegate Cho cited reasons for the no-confidence motion against President Im, including failure to block the enactment of the Nursing Act, inadequate response after the announcement of increased medical school quotas, attempts to divide resident doctors before resignation, and offensive remarks.

Recently, President Im posted on his personal SNS (social networking service) targeting the presidential office’s social affairs secretary, saying, "I am tired of hearing nonsense like a schizophrenic every day," and later issued an apology.

In response, the Korean Association for Schizophrenia criticized, stating, "Maliciously using a specific disease name to perpetuate stigma" and that "It is highly unethical for the KMA president to make such remarks."

Criticism also came from disability organizations. On the same day, disability groups including the Korean Federation for Mental Disabilities issued a press release stating, "President Im, representing the KMA, insulting and belittling people with mental disabilities on a public social media platform is an act that promotes discrimination and exclusion of people with mental disabilities, which clearly violates the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities."

President Im has faced conflicts both inside and outside the medical community even before his inauguration. While still a president-elect, he personally took on the role of chairman of the KMA Emergency Response Committee, which was in operation at the time, leading to a confrontation at the leadership level.

Later, his relationship with Park Dan, chairman of the Korean Interns and Residents Association Emergency Committee, also deteriorated, and due to his repeated offensive remarks, medical student organizations condemned him, saying, "President Im’s continuous offensive remarks and personal rudeness have damaged the image of the entire medical community."

Previously, delegates including Cho Hyun-geun conducted a no-confidence survey among members. Among the 1,982 respondents, 85.2% agreed that President Im should step down.