New Korean Hospital Association (KHA) President Yoo Kyung-ha has officially begun her term, identifying the sustainability and future competitiveness of the hospital sector as her top priorities.
The association announced that Yoo held her inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, unveiling her vision and key initiatives that will guide the hospital sector over the next two years.
Yoo Kyung-ha, newly inaugurated president of the Korean Hospital Association, officially began her term following the inauguration ceremony. (Courtesy of Korean Hospital Association)
In her inaugural address, Yoo said, “Although Korea’s healthcare system is globally recognized for its high accessibility and efficiency, hospitals are facing severe challenges due to inflation, rising labor costs and shortages of essential medical personnel,” adding, “Ensuring the sustainable operation of member hospitals will be my highest priority.”
She also emphasized the challenges in providing essential medical services, including emergency care, pediatrics, trauma care and obstetrics.
“These fields have been maintained largely through the dedication and sense of duty of healthcare professionals, but the low reimbursement structure has made it increasingly difficult to secure specialized personnel,” she said. “To improve the effectiveness of healthcare policies, it is essential to establish a more realistic reimbursement system.”
Yoo stressed the importance of unified communication between the hospital sector and the government.
“The Korean Hospital Association will speak with one voice and work closely with the government to create a sustainable healthcare environment,” she said. “To promote cooperation beyond professional roles, regions and hospital sizes, we have established a new Shared Growth and Cooperation Committee.”
Improving the training environment for medical residents was also presented as a major agenda item.
“There is no future for healthcare without a dramatic improvement in resident training conditions,” Yoo said, calling for comprehensive reforms in training programs, working conditions and evaluation systems.
She added that the association would proactively respond to changes in the training environment resulting from the expansion of medical school admissions. To this end, the KHA plans to strengthen cooperation with the government and related organizations through its Training and Education Committee.
In the academic field, Yoo highlighted the need to strengthen international competitiveness.
“The Korea Healthcare Congress has achieved significant qualitative and quantitative growth,” she said. “Through the World Hospital Congress to be held in Seoul this year, we will further expand the trust and prestige of K-healthcare on the global stage.”
Yoo also outlined future-oriented healthcare strategies, including the establishment of an AI Strategy Division and the integration of digitalization and future healthcare functions. She described the organization’s operational vision as creating “an energetic and inspiring KHA.”
“The Korean Hospital Association will play a central role in bridging the gap between technology and institutions,” Yoo said. “Through cooperation among hospitals, we will create the value of future healthcare together.”
She concluded by saying, “I take the role of KHA president with great responsibility. In this era of profound transformation driven by humanity and technology, I believe we are being called upon to present direction and lay the foundation for future prosperity. I will listen more humbly, connect more gently and act more firmly.”
Kim Eun-young
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