South KoreaIs an occupational disease recognized as a work injury?
Yes, occupational diseases are legally recognized as work injuries under South Korea’s Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act.
What the Law Says
South Korean law explicitly includes occupational diseases within the legal definition of 'work injury' for compensation purposes.
Under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, a 'work injury' is not limited to accidents — it also covers illnesses that arise from work-related causes.
The law defines 'industrial accident' to include both injuries caused by external events and diseases caused by hazardous working conditions, repetitive tasks, or exposure to harmful substances over time.
Employers must report any diagnosed occupational disease to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWELFARE) within 3 days of learning about it.
Once recognized, the worker is entitled to full medical expenses, disability benefits, wage replacement, and, in fatal cases, survivor benefits — all covered by the mandatory insurance system.
Statutory Text‘Industrial accident’ means an injury, illness, disability or death sustained by a worker in the course of his/her work or arising out of his/her work.
— Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, s. 3(1) — Definition of industrial accident
What to Do
Seek diagnosis from a qualified occupational physician or designated hospital.
Report the suspected occupational disease to your employer immediately.
Your employer must file a report with KCOMWELFARE within 3 days.
Submit supporting medical documents and workplace exposure history to KCOMWELFARE.
Appeal within 90 days if the claim is denied.
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.