South KoreaHow are disability grades determined after a traffic?
Disability grades after a traffic accident in South Korea are determined by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWELFARE) using the 'Standards for Determining Disability Grades' under the Automobile Management Act and the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act.
What the Law Says
Disability grading after a traffic accident is governed by statutory standards that define functional impairment levels and corresponding compensation eligibility. The assessment is conducted by KCOMWELFARE, not courts or insurers directly.
Under the Automobile Management Act, disability resulting from traffic accidents is assessed using standardized medical criteria to assign one of 14 disability grades (Grade 1 = most severe, Grade 14 = least severe).
The Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (IACI Act) provides the legal framework for evaluating physical and mental impairments caused by accidents, including traffic incidents, and mandates use of the official 'Standards for Determining Disability Grades'.
A person must have completed treatment or reached a medically stable condition (generally at least 30 days post-injury) before an official grade can be assigned. Temporary impairments or conditions still under active treatment are not eligible for grading.
Grades are based on objective clinical findings — such as range of motion, neurological deficits, organ function loss, or psychiatric evaluation — matched against the official grading tables.
Statutory TextThe grade of disability arising from automobile accidents shall be determined in accordance with the Standards for Determining Disability Grades prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
— Automobile Management Act, Act No. 12789, s. 45 — Determination of Disability Grade
Statutory TextDisability grade shall be determined by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service based on medical examination and the Standards for Determining Disability Grades.
— Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, Act No. 5358, s. 36 — Disability Grade Determination
What to Do
Seek treatment from a designated medical institution approved by KCOMWELFARE.
Apply for disability grade determination through KCOMWELFARE within 3 years of the accident.
Submit medical records, diagnosis reports, imaging results, and functional assessment forms.
Attend the official medical examination arranged by KCOMWELFARE.
Appeal the grade decision within 90 days if dissatisfied, by submitting new evidence or requesting re-evaluation.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.