2-way race for KHA presidency heats up between Yoo Kyung-ha and Lee Wang-jun

The race for the 43rd president of the Korean Hospital Association (KHA) has narrowed to a two-way contest.

As this election takes place at a time when the medical community must address the aftermath of the government–doctor conflict and rebuild the healthcare system, the hospital sector is closely watching the “crisis-breaking strategies” proposed by the two candidates.

The Korean Hospital Association announced on Friday that candidate registration for the presidential election had closed. Yoo Kyung-ha, president of Ewha Womans University Medical Center, and Lee Wang-jun, chairman of Myongji Hospital, emerged as the final candidates, setting up a fierce two-way race.

Dr. Yoo Kyung-ha, president of Ewha Womans University Medical Center (left), and Dr. Lee Wang-jun, chairman of Myongji Hospital, have begun their campaigns to become the 43rd president of the Korean Hospital Association (KHA). (KBR photo)

This election will be held under the “alternating candidacy” principle. In this system, university hospitals and small- and medium-sized hospitals take turns holding the presidency. This year’s election falls to the university hospital sector. The KHA president will be elected at the regular general meeting, to be held at the COEX Grand Ballroom at 3:30 p.m. on April 10.

Yoo stresses integration, structural reform

Running as Candidate No. 1, Yoo places “mutual prosperity” at the forefront of her campaign. She emphasizes the need to heal internal divisions within the hospital sector. Drawing on her 38 years of experience as a pediatrician, she aims to restore speed and accuracy to policy-making.

She said the KHA must take the lead in proposing policy alternatives that reconcile the interests of tertiary, small- and medium-sized, and public hospitals. She aims to ensure sustainability beyond a compensation structure biased toward certain facilities. To achieve this, she pledged to establish a “Mutual Prosperity and Cooperation Committee” directly under the president.

Yoo also proposed holding on-site consultative meetings by region and specialty to address “regional, essential, and public healthcare” issues. She also wants to establish a regular consultative body with the government. Her vision is to approach the collapse of essential healthcare as a structural problem affecting the entire delivery system, not just a fee-for-service issue.

As a future strategy, she proposed creating a “Medical AI Strategy Division.” She said KHA would lead efforts to resolve psychological barriers to AI adoption—such as legal liability and technical instability—and drive practical implementation through a hospital consortium.

Lee stresses policy execution, negotiation capacity

Candidate No. 2, Lee highlighted his “prepared leadership” and practical skills, built over more than 20 years as a standing director at KHA. As a board-certified surgeon who has personally managed medical institutions ranging from university-affiliated hospitals to small- and medium-sized regional hospitals and long-term care facilities, Lee cited his deep understanding of structural limitations across sectors as a key strength.

Lee aims to address chronic issues in the hospital sector, including fee-for-service imbalances, the sustainability of essential care, and regional disparities in medical resources. He has pledged to tackle major policy matters—including fees, benefits, and healthcare delivery—by drawing on 22 years of experience as an executive director, including 15 years as policy director.

Lee also emphasized his experience in external cooperation and crisis management. He led the Emergency Response Headquarters task force during the COVID-19 pandemic. He aims to further strengthen the hospital sector’s response system and cooperation framework with the government for future crises.

As the incoming president of the International Hospital Federation (IHF), he plans to lead this year’s World Hospital Congress in Seoul and raise the international standing of Korean hospitals.

The KHA presidential election is conducted by a 40-member Executive Election Committee, with 20 members selected from regional and professional groups. Candidates must secure a majority of the votes to be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held.