Foul-mouthed, conflict-mongering KMA head emerges as medical community’s biggest risk

The criticisms directed by Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), are coming back to affect the medical community.

"We can't go on like this," many KMA members say, as Lim's rhetorical and leadership controversy has rocked the nation’s largest organization representing physicians. This is all happening just two months into his term.

On Tuesday, the Korean Medical Student Association said it would not participate in the “Special Committee for Proper Medical Care,” telling Lim to "stop trying to represent the medical community as you please."

The medical students’ group claimed that Lim's actions 'have lowered the status of the medical community while ignoring the voices of students and residents.'" They added that Lim "cannot even resolve the current situation," echoing the medical community's criticism of the government for "unilaterally pushing policies without the will or ability to resolve the current issues."

"The biggest risk for the KMA and the entire medical community is Lim. There is no risk management at all. One accident is covered by another. That's why we complain,” said the head of a regional medical association in a telephone interview with Korea Biomedical Review on Wednesday while requesting anonymity. “What's the difference between the KMA president and President Yoon Sul Yeol?”

“Some members also talk about the need to prevent even a bigger incident before it happens,” the regional leader said, pointing to moves to put Lim on a no-confidence vote or impeach him. "These members openly say they should no longer just lament the situation but take action by asking the opinion of all members before it's too late."

Another regional KMA chapter head said, "Some evaluate that Lim has already become a ‘lame duck’ because he failed to produce any results in dealing with the government or build a consensus within the KMA. There are opinions that we should end (the lame duck period) early instead of wasting time like this."

"In a way, the voices of young doctors that have been coming out one after another represent the frustration of the medical community. Many might be sympathizing with junior doctors in some aspects," he said. “Lim should take their words seriously instead of regarding them as junior doctors' brash remarks."

The controversy surrounding Lim has escalated after the organization declared a work stoppage twice. The plan for the work stoppage was made without consulting the board of representatives, the board of directors, or regional medical associations. When Lim clashed with the head of the Korean Intern Resident Association, he openly displayed his displeasure. All this came after Lim clashed with the legal community, political circles, and the media for his inappropriate words and actions.

"Lim is likely the only KMA head who has managed a 'grand slam of clashes' with the medical community, the legal community, the media, and political circles, including the recent statement by the medical students' organization,” said yet another regional KMA chapter head, who also wanted to remain anonymous. “The medical community has fought against the government for more than a half year. Should we force the KMA head to 'stop using social media and act more discreetly at this moment?’”

The biggest problem is that "it doesn't end with Lim's personal affairs." The accumulated controversy over his verbal abuse has stymied the medical community during parliamentary hearings. Lim took a step back after he launched an all-party task force emphasizing communication but failed to bring medical students and trainee doctors back.

"The KMA must control internal conflicts and strengthen its relationship with the outside world through cooperation, checks, and balances, but its leader is stirring up conflicts and making the situation worse," the regional KMA chapter head said. "Like it or not, Lim represents the medical community. This, in turn, explains why the entire medical community is forced to share damages caused by controversy surrounding Lim."

Another KMA member who also wanted to be unnamed said, "The testimonies on the medical school enrollment quota increase at the public hearing were overshadowed by the extensive coverage of Lim’s controversial remarks, failing to resonate with the public. It was difficult to gain momentum for the struggle because Lim conflicted with young doctors without gaining their trust."

"Lim shouldn't run the KMA with the same sense as he led the Korean Association of Pediatric Practitioners. Discussion and consultation may seem cumbersome to Lim,” the KMA member said. “Polite and refined expressions may seem like pretense and hypocrisy, but he must use them for the sake of the organization and the entire medical community."

She continued, “Members did not give Lim the position of the KMA presidency to enjoy and stroke his ego. It's time for him to reflect calmly on why he wanted to be its head and how he became it."