PHOTOS: Medical association chief starts hunger strike amid extreme government-doctor conflict

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - As tensions between the government and medical community persist, Dr. Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), began a hunger strike and sit-in protest outside the KMA building in Yongsan District, Seoul, on Aug. 26.

At the press conference announcing his hunger strike, Lim said, "I want to convey my sincerity through this strike. Doctors want to normalize Korea's collapsed healthcare system as soon as possible. We urge the public to join forces so that our country's medical services can be restored quickly."

Lim's hunger strike entered its third day today.

Dr Lim Hyun-taek president of the Korean Medical Association KMA rests on a bed in a protest tent outside the KMA building in Seouls Yongsan district Aug 28 2024 Lim is on the third day of a hunger strike AJP Park Jong-hyeok — Dr. Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), rests on a bed in a protest tent outside the KMA building in Seoul's Yongsan district, Aug. 28, 2024. Lim is on the third day of a hunger strike. AJP Park Jong-hyeok

A banner displaying the KMAs demands to the government hangs at the protest site outside the KMA building Seoul Aug 28 2024 AJP Park Jong-hyeok — A banner displaying the KMA's demands to the government is hung at the protest site outside the KMA building, Seoul, Aug. 28, 2024. AJP Park Jong-hyeok

A protest tent set up for KMA President Lim Hyun-taeks hunger strike outside the KMA building Seoul Aug 28 2024 AJP Park Jong-hyeok — A protest tent is set up for KMA President Lim Hyun-taek's hunger strike outside the KMA building, Seoul, Aug. 28, 2024. AJP Park Jong-hyeok

KMA officials hold a meeting in the protest tent outside their headquarters in Seoul Aug 28 2024 President Lims seat is empty as he continues his hunger strike for the third day AJP Park Jong-hyeok — KMA officials hold a meeting in the protest tent outside their headquarters in Seoul, Aug. 28, 2024. President Lim's seat is empty as he continues his hunger strike for the third day. AJP Park Jong-hyeok

Posters created by the KMA are displayed at the rear entrance of the KMA building in Seoul Aug 28 2024 AJP Park Jong-hyeok — Posters created by the KMA are displayed at the rear entrance of the KMA building in Seoul, Aug. 28, 2024. AJP Park Jong-hyeok

The Korean Medical Association logo outside its headquarters in Seoul's Yongsan district, Aug. 28, 2024. AJP Park Jong-hyeok

Park Jong-hyeok qkrwhdgur2164@ajupress.com