Received Disability Compensation After Traffic Accident at Age 20
As Family Business Debt Increased... Demanded "200 Million Won"
A story has been shared about a person who was declared disabled due to a traffic accident and is struggling with their family's demand to use the compensation money to pay off the household debt.
On the 16th, a post titled "Is it right to pay off household debt with accident compensation money?" was uploaded to an online community. As of 1 p.m. on the 17th, the post had garnered 37,000 views and 200 comments, becoming a major topic of discussion. The author, Mr. A, in his early 30s, who was disabled after a traffic accident at age 20 but now has a stable job, began by saying, "My siblings include one older sister who is married and one younger brother who just started working. Currently, I live with my younger brother, and my parents run a food company with my sister."
Mr. A said, "I was in a traffic accident at 20 and received a considerable amount of compensation money," adding, "I also got a job relatively easily through a special hiring process for people with disabilities and started working early, so I have saved a lot of money for my age." He continued, "The problem started when my parents and sister’s company incurred debt. My sister keeps asking me to pay off about 200 million won of the company’s debt," explaining, "The total debt seems to be around 350 million won. She says since I’m not married and don’t need a large sum of money right now, it would be better for the family if I used the compensation money to pay off the debt and reduce interest rather than leaving it tied up in the bank."
Mr. A said, "Honestly, I felt bad when I first heard this. To me, the accident compensation money is not just money but also a kind of emotional scar, so I haven’t spent a single won on myself and have just kept it in my bank account. That money is my last reserve for when I get old and lose my ability to work," adding, "Still, because they are family, I thought I should lend the money and agreed. My sister also asked my younger brother to pay about 20 million won in installments, but he refused. When I found out that my brother was upset and that I was going to pay about 200 million won of the debt, he went to my parents and caused a scene because we are usually close."
He continued, "My younger brother caused a scene, but my sister called me and yelled that I was being stingy with the money. I was on duty during a holiday and hid in the bathroom to cry, worried that others might see me," adding, "That night, my sister called again, but I didn’t answer. She claimed she wasn’t in her right mind due to childcare stress and debt. The more I think about it, the more I feel it’s right not to give her the accident compensation money."
Mr. A said, "I feel like my family sees me as a pushover. Since I usually treat them well and am financially comfortable, they seem to be testing me," adding, "My younger brother has cut ties with my parents, changed his phone number, and hasn’t responded to any contact for over five months. I’m curious if having money but not paying off the household debt really makes me unfilial."
Netizens who read the story responded coldly, saying things like, "It’s pathetic that you’re still thinking about paying off the debt even after your brother caused a scene," "To the family, Mr. A is like an ATM," "They’re not asking to borrow; they’re taking it," "When Mr. A struggles later, the sister won’t pay a single won," "It seems like he has a ‘nice guy syndrome,’" and "I don’t know what kind of accident compensation it is, but keep it for your old age since you’ve done enough and rest now."
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