Roh Hwan-kyu, chief of the National Union of Korean Medical Doctors, was elected the 37th president of the Korean Medical Association, the group said Sunday.

Roh won 839 votes from a 1,574-strong electoral college.

Roh graduated from Yonsei University School of Medicine and has worked as an assistant professor at Ajou University.

He established the union and attempted to reform the KMA by revealing irregularities committed by its leadership. He is well-known for throwing an egg at former KMA president Kyung Man-ho, denouncing his alleged irregularities and demanding transparency in the association management.

“I will strive to protect doctors from populist policies and make a way for doctors to get sufficient compensation for their hard work,” Roh said in an acceptance speech.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)