"Medical Association President Demands 100 Million Won in 50,000-Won Bills for Dropping Charges"…Medical Association Says "No Intention to Withdraw"

Member Who Posted Comment Online Sued for Defamation
Demanded 100 Million Won in 50,000-Won Bills as Condition for Withdrawal

Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), filed a lawsuit against a KMA member who posted defamatory remarks about him online, and there are claims that he demanded 100 million won in cash as a condition for withdrawing the lawsuit, which is expected to cause a stir. However, Im's side stated that they never intended to withdraw the lawsuit in the first place.

On the 24th, 'Medical News' reported that Im filed a defamation lawsuit against a KMA member identified as Mr. A. Mr. A had previously posted critical comments about Im on the anonymous board of the doctors' community 'Medigate,' and he was informed that a complaint had been filed with the Mapo Police Station in Seoul regarding this matter.

Im Hyun-taek, the chairman of the Korean Medical Association, is answering questions from reporters after meeting with a resigned resident who was arrested on the 21st at Seongbuk Police Station in Seoul on charges of creating and posting a list of doctors who did not participate in the medical community's collective action.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the media, Mr. A said about the comments he posted, "As a KMA member, I only asked how the membership fees, which were supposed to support residents, were used," and questioned, "What is wrong with that?"

Later, Mr. A met with President Im, who reportedly demanded 100 million won in cash (to be handed over directly in 50,000 won bills) as a condition for withdrawing the lawsuit. It was also reported that after the meeting, Im's side repeatedly contacted Mr. A to urge settlement payments.

However, Im's side stated that they never intended to receive a settlement payment from Mr. A. He told the media, "During the meeting, I received an apology letter from him, which was evidence to obtain a confession of wrongdoing," and refuted, "It is true that I demanded a settlement of 100 million won, but since I knew that such a large amount could not be paid, I deliberately made an unacceptable demand."

The KMA explained to Yonhap News, "Even if sued, the fine would only be about 500,000 won, so (Im) did this to avoid writing a letter of no punishment request." They also added that Mr. A was not a regular member but an executive of a city or provincial medical association.

Meanwhile, it is known that dissatisfaction with President Im is increasing within the KMA. Amid the ongoing nine-month medical-government conflict over the government's plan to increase medical school quotas, Im's response has been criticized as inadequate. There have even been proposals to impeach President Im.

Earlier, Jo Chul-geun, a delegate of the KMA's Busan City delegation, issued a press release the day before stating, "103 delegates requested the convening of an extraordinary general meeting of the delegates' steering committee to vote on a no-confidence motion against Im Hyun-taek, president of the KMA, and the formation of an emergency committee."

According to the KMA bylaws, if more than one-quarter of the registered delegates agree, the chairperson must convene an extraordinary general meeting. A no-confidence motion against the president can be proposed if more than one-third of the registered delegates agree, and it is decided by a two-thirds majority vote.