1. 공무상 재해, 입증 안 해도 보상, 6월부터 '공상추정제'시행, 23.5.30. 경향신문
https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202305301000011?utm_source=urlCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharing
("Work-Related Illnesses to Be Recognized Without Proof of Causality — Korea to Implement 'Estimation of Official Diseases' System from June", 23.5.30. The Kyunghyang News)
-English translation of a Korean news article
Work-Related Illnesses to Be Recognized Without Proof of Causality — Korea to Implement 'Estimation of Official Diseases' System from June
Starting next month, Korea will officially implement a new “Estimation of Official Diseases” system, which allows public officials to receive compensation for work-related illnesses without having to prove a direct causal link between their disease and their duties. This aims to address long-standing issues where public officials working in hazardous environments were denied compensation due to difficulties in proving work-related causation.
On April 30, the Ministry of Personnel Management (MPM) announced that a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Public Officials’ Accident Compensation Act had been approved by the Cabinet. This amendment follows the revision of the Act passed by the National Assembly in June 2022 and outlines the detailed provisions for implementation.
Under the new system, certain illnesses—such as musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, occupational cancers, and mental illnesses—will be presumed to be work-related if the public official was exposed to harmful or dangerous environments over a significant period. The goal is to reduce the burden of proof on civil servants and ensure fairer access to compensation.
Detailed conditions—such as the types of diseases, relevant occupations or duties, and length of exposure—will be specified in the MPM’s internal guidelines on the assessment of occupational illnesses.
The amendment also allows the Government Employees Pension Service (GEPS) to skip deliberation by the Compensation Review Board for injuries that are clearly work-related, such as physical injuries sustained during law enforcement or firefighting. In such cases, GEPS can directly determine eligibility for medical benefits and notify the applicant, significantly reducing the review period.
To enhance the expertise and fairness of compensation decisions, the amendment introduces a mechanism for medical advisory committees to be consulted when expert input is needed in calculating appropriate treatment periods. This measure aims to prevent under-compensation due to non-specialist judgment.
2. 인사혁신처, 내년 6월부터 '공무상 재해 인정' 쉬워지고 빨라져, / '22.6.7.KBS 뉴스)
https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/view.do?ncd=5479874
(Recognition of Work-Related Injuries for Public Officials to Become Easier and Faster from June Next Year: MPM, / '22.6.7.KBS News)
-English translation of a Korean news article
Recognition of Work-Related Injuries for Public Officials to Become Easier and Faster from June Next Year: MPM
Starting in June 2023, the recognition and compensation process for work-related injuries and illnesses among public officials—such as firefighters and police officers—will become easier and more efficient.
The Ministry of Personnel Management (MPM) announced today that a revised bill of the Public Officials’ Accident Compensation Act was approved by the Cabinet. Under the current system, public officials and their families must prove the causal relationship between their work and the illness or injury. However, under the new amendment, the burden of proof will shift from individuals to the state, which will presume the connection between the job and the illness in certain cases.
Additionally, the compensation process for injuries sustained during public duties—such as police officers being assaulted while arresting suspects—will be expedited under the revised system.