Ewha Womans University Medical Center Director Yoo Kyung-ha has been selected as the 43rd president of the Korean Hospital Association. The election occurred during the 67th regular general meeting at the Coex Grand Ballroom on April 10.
Election Process and Results
Two candidates vied for the position: Yoo Kyung-ha on Ticket No. 1 and Lee Wang-jun, director of Myeongji Medical Foundation, on Ticket No. 2. Yoo secured victory through votes from over 40 executive members, achieving a two-thirds majority.
The new president’s two-year term begins on May 1. Auditors Lee Cheol-hee, president of Central University Medical Center, and Kim Cheol, director of Busan Korea Hospital, endorsed Yoo’s nomination.
President Yoo’s Vision
Yoo Kyung-ha emphasized total support for the hospital sector based on business partnerships and trust. “We will directly lead its development,” he stated.
He highlighted fostering ‘business cooperation’ among corporate, public, and private hospitals to build a structured healthcare ecosystem. “This goes beyond mere policy execution,” Yoo added.
Key focuses include strengthening field-based talent development, accurate policy cooperation, and real-world policy linkages. Yoo noted the association’s central role in expanding the medical leadership framework.
Addressing citizens’ trust, he affirmed, “Whatever undermines public confidence must be prioritized.” Yoo aims to enhance satisfaction through precise policy advancement and performance, creating a ‘trusted’ association.
In the AI-driven medical era, the association will adapt technologies and pioneer future medical models, Yoo affirmed.
Upcoming Events and Growth Projections
The association eyes global prestige by hosting the International Hospital Federation (IHF) World Hospital Congress in Seoul this October. This positions K-hospital excellence on the world stage and boosts the global hospital network.
At the congress, preparations advanced for the national team and October IHF event invitations to 103 countries for 2025, expecting 7,769 participants—a 2.6% increase from prior years. For 2026, forecasts predict further growth.
Central operations encompass global education, field talent development, big data collaboration, comprehensive training, and leader training, projecting 5,586 participants from 1,428 organizations in 2025—a 3.9% rise.
Key Participants and Achievements
The meeting featured reports seven executive directors, including Kim Young-wook, chairman of the committee; Lee Jae-seong, policy director; and others. Four regional directors from Seoul, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gwangju contributed insights.
Awards recognized private sector leaders, such as JW Chungwoon Park A-sang winners from external and academic fields, and Myeongji Hospital’s Park Jung-gyeom.
Directorship highlights included achievements like second place in 30-year history for team competitions, top rankings in various categories, and awards in model competitions. Leaders from major institutions, such as Kang Daekyung and Kim So-han, received honors in sub-categories.
The congress showcased operation and service divisions, reaffirming directorial legitimacy and ‘Hospital Association Development Special Committee’ initiatives for policy and task alignment.
