Seoul: The largest South Korean doctors’ advocacy group has taken a significant step by voting to impeach its chief, holding him accountable for inadequate responses to a prolonged walkout by junior doctors and other controversies. The decision was made during an emergency assembly of representatives from the Korean Medical Association (KMA).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the KMA decided to impeach Lim Hyun-taek after conducting a vote of confidence and approved the creation of an emergency committee. Lim, who assumed office in March, faced immediate challenges as thousands of trainee doctors began leaving their workplaces in protest. The government’s decision to increase the medical school quota by approximately 2,000 annually for the next five years, aimed at addressing a doctor shortage, sparked the walkout.

Critics have accused Lim of failing to effectively address the walkout and making inappropriate comments regarding the disruptions in healthcare services. The impeachment is anticipated to facilit
ate progress in negotiations between the government and the medical community, with hopes of reaching a resolution, according to some officials.

The KMA has announced plans to hold a by-election to elect a new chief within the next 60 days. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party intends to establish a consultative body with the main opposition party, the government, and doctors on Monday to resolve the ongoing walkout. However, the KMA has maintained its stance of not participating in this consultative body.

Park Dan, the head of an emergency response group for striking trainee doctors, expressed approval of the KMA’s decision to impeach Lim. “Eventually, everything is on the right path,” Park stated on his Facebook page. Park has been vocal in calling for Lim’s resignation, arguing that Lim does not adequately represent trainee doctors and medical school students.