Korean Medical Association impeaches President Im Hyun-taek after 6 months in office

Im Hyun-taek was ousted as president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) on Saturday following a no-confidence vote by the organization’s representatives, marking only the second impeachment in KMA’s history. /News1

Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), was impeached on Nov. 10 after the association’s council of representatives held an emergency general assembly to vote on the motion.

The no-confidence motion against Im passed with 170 votes in favor, 50 against, and 4 abstentions. Under KMA regulations, an impeachment motion requires a quorum of two-thirds of the 246 representatives and approval from two-thirds of those present to be validated.

Im, who took office in May, had come under criticism for what some described as inadequate responses to key issues, including recent increases in medical school admissions, the passage of the Nurse Act in the National Assembly, and several controversial remarks that had sparked public backlash.

Recently, Im became further embroiled in controversy after allegedly demanding approximately 10 million won($7152) from a KMA official as a condition for withdrawing a lawsuit against the official, who had posted defamatory messages about him in a group chat.

With the vote, Im’s six-month tenure as KMA president comes to an end. According to the KMA’s bylaws, a by-election to choose a new president must be held within 60 days. In the interim, the association’s emergency response committee is expected to oversee its operations, bridging the leadership gap until a successor is elected. A vote on forming this committee was also scheduled for the general assembly.

Some within the medical community believe that the transition to an emergency committee could expedite resolution of disputes with government authorities.

Im had been at odds with Park Dan, head of the Korean Intern Resident Association’s emergency response committee, who had criticized his approach. Observers suggest that Im’s departure might open the door for interns and residents to engage more actively in discussions with KMA, enabling a unified stance in negotiations with the government.

Meanwhile, Im is the second KMA president to be impeached in the organization’s history. The first was Roh Hwan-kyu, who was ousted from the role in 2014.