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The Korean Medical Association (KMA) Council will hold a vote of no confidence against Lim Hyun-taek, the president of the KMA, on the 10th, following controversies involving his offensive remarks and recordings demanding settlement money. Although President Lim has made a public apology and deleted his social media accounts in an effort to win back members' trust, the response remains cold. Attention is focused on whether the KMA can restore its representation of the medical community and find a breakthrough in resolving medical-government conflicts with Lim's resignation, given his frequent conflicts with internal medical groups, including resident doctors.

Lim Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Medical Association. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The KMA Council's Steering Committee held an emergency meeting on the 29th of last month and decided to put the no-confidence motion against President Lim to a vote on November 10. According to KMA regulations, if the no-confidence motion passes, President Lim will be immediately suspended from his duties, and a by-election will be held within 60 days. President Lim has been criticized for his recent derogatory remarks about people with disabilities, demands for dropping lawsuits in exchange for settlements, and his failure to achieve significant results in the ongoing medical-government conflict lasting over ten months.

The medical community atmosphere leans toward the approval of President Lim's impeachment. A medical official said, "Initially, there was public opinion that we should trust the president elected through direct voting," but added, "He has lost much trust by showing an inability to properly respond to medical-government conflicts and the nursing law." A medical school professor from Chungcheong Province also said, "(President Lim) is somewhat aggressive, so his intended arguments seem to be overshadowed," and added, "Even if he feels wronged as president, it would be better if he stepped down now."

One of the biggest reasons leading to the no-confidence vote is President Lim's discord with Park Dan, the acting chairman of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), who holds the key to resolving the situation. Kim Gyo-woong, chairman of the KMA Council, told reporters on the 24th of last month, "At this point, even if President Lim reaches any conclusion with President Yoon Seok-yeol, it will be in vain if (resident representative) Chairman Park opposes it," and pressured, "If the relationship with KIRA's acting committee cannot be improved, the executive must make a decision themselves."

However, there are also claims that the no-confidence vote against President Lim could be rejected. It is not impossible for President Lim and the current executive to individually contact and win over one-third of the council members. According to KMA regulations, a no-confidence motion against the president can be initiated by at least one-quarter of voting members or one-third of the total council members, and it requires attendance of two-thirds of the council members and approval by two-thirds of those present. A medical official said, "I understand that President Lim has recently been personally contacting council members asking for their trust," and added, "The possibility of the impeachment being invalidated cannot be ruled out."

President Lim is also reportedly focusing on improving relations with resident doctors who resigned to regain trust. Anna Choi, KMA spokesperson, said, "President Lim clearly intends to reflect the wishes of the resigned resident doctors and Chairman Park Dan in the association's affairs," emphasizing, "If he is reappointed, he will further reform and communicate to create a structure where the opinions of resident doctors and medical students can be reflected."

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However, the response from the resigned resident doctors remains cold. Resident doctor A, who resigned from a training hospital in the region, said, "Even if the no-confidence vote against President Lim fails, the position of KIRA and the majority of resigned resident doctors not to communicate with the current KMA executive will not change."

Earlier, Chairman Park Dan also stated on his SNS in September, "KMA President Lim Hyun-taek does not represent resigned resident doctors and medical students on leave," and added, "The four people listed below (Chairman Park and Son Jeong-ho, Kim Seo-young, Jo Ju-shin, co-acting chairpersons of the Korean Medical College and Medical School Student Association) have no intention of sitting at any table with President Lim."

(From left) Joo Suho, former president of the Korean Medical Association, Kim Taekwoo, president of the National Council of City and Provincial Medical Associations, Lee Dongwook, president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association. [Image source=Yonhap News, Gyeonggi-do Medical Association]

Meanwhile, if the impeachment passes and a by-election is held, the medical community consensus is that a candidate who wins the hearts of resigned resident doctors and KIRA is likely to be elected. There is a shared understanding that persuading and cooperating with resigned resident doctors is the key to resolving the current medical-government conflict.

The current candidates mentioned for the next KMA president include former KMA president Joo Soo-ho, Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the National Council of City and Provincial Medical Associations, and Lee Dong-wook, president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association. They are already focusing on strengthening relations with resigned resident doctors.

Joo Soo-ho, representative of the 'Future Medical Forum' and former president, held an event on the 20th of last month in Seoul, inviting resigned resident doctors. Speakers included Lee Ju-young, a member of the Reform New Party, and the YouTuber 'Knowledge Sword,' who are highly favored by resigned resident doctors, drawing a positive response. Notably, Chairman Park Dan, who is in opposition to the KMA, also attended this event.

Chairman Kim Taek-woo is also making efforts to maintain relations with resigned resident doctors. He is evaluated to have maintained smooth communication with Chairman Park Dan and resigned resident doctors during his tenure as KMA acting chairman earlier this year. Even after the inauguration of President Lim's administration, he has reportedly continued dialogues with KIRA officials and resigned resident doctors on current issues. The fact that Chairman Kim's son, a resigned resident doctor, is one of the twelve members of KIRA's acting committee also positively influences relationship maintenance.

President Lee Dong-wook has also consistently aligned his steps with resigned resident doctors. Since the medical-government conflict began, he has held the 'Medical Corruption Judicial Outrage Protest' every Saturday for 49 consecutive times and has been conducting a relay solo picket protest at Itaewon Square on the president's commute route since August 1. According to the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association, about 30 resigned resident doctors attended the protest held on the 31st of last month and engaged in conversations with President Lee.