The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), the representative group of trainee doctors (interns and residents), said that Lee Uiju won the 29th presidential election to become the new president.
New president Lee Uiju, a surgery resident at Asan Medical Center who graduated from Kyunghee University School of Medicine, is the second woman to lead KIRA.
According to KIRA on the 1st, 4,536 of the 8,360 eligible voters took part in this election, and Lee was elected with 91.71% in favor. The term begins Sept. 1.
Lee served as a vice president in the 28th KIRA executive committee, handling work to improve training conditions for residents and protect their rights and interests.
Key pledges included raising resident wages, guaranteeing protected time, streamlining training records (e-portfolio), and expanding policy research for young doctors. Lee also said KIRA would push for effective penalties for violations of the Resident Training Act and build a support system for residents' mental health.
New president Lee Uiju said, "Over the past year, KIRA has restored order in training sites after the medical-government standoff," adding, "It is time for residents to speak up for their rights again and demand better training environments." Lee said, "We will build an institutional foundation so that residents can focus on optimal care and training."