Im Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Medical Association, Vote of No Confidence (Impeachment) Passed (Update)

170 of 224 Delegates Present Vote in Favor

The vote of no confidence against Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), has been passed.

The Korean Medical Association's Delegate Assembly is holding an extraordinary general meeting at 2 p.m. on the 10th at the Association Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where agenda items including the formation of a special committee for no confidence in President Lim are being discussed. Photo by Choi Taewon

The KMA General Assembly held an extraordinary general meeting at 2 p.m. on the 10th at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the agenda including the formation of a special committee for no confidence against President Lim was raised and announced this decision.

President Lim had been criticized recently for derogatory remarks about disabled people, demands for withdrawal of lawsuits in exchange, and failing to achieve significant results amid the ongoing medical-government conflict lasting over 10 months.

According to KMA regulations, a no-confidence motion against the president is established if proposed by at least one-quarter of voting members or one-third of the total delegates, and requires attendance of at least two-thirds of the total delegates and approval by two-thirds of those present.

On this day, 224 delegates attended, and 170 voted in favor of the no-confidence motion against President Lim. There were 50 votes against and 4 abstentions.

According to KMA internal rules, a by-election must be held within 60 days. Until a new president is elected through the by-election, the executive vacancy of up to two months is expected to be filled by the special committee formed at the extraordinary general meeting.

Before the vote at the extraordinary meeting, President Lim said, "I was unable to resolve the forced increase in medical school admissions and the entanglement of medical manipulation. I feel only guilty for being powerless against the government and the presidential office’s arrogance and obstinacy." He added, "Above all, in this struggle, I failed to fully represent the voices of residents and medical students," appealing to the delegates.

He also promised that if reappointed, he would ▲ refrain from controversial remarks and actions ▲ establish a transparent and communicative executive body ▲ and achieve personnel reform.