Former Lawmaker Who Collapsed While on Duty Sues for Medical Expenses... Court: "Disease, Not Injury"

Jeong Jaeho Files Lawsuit for Disaster Compensation
Collapsed in 2018 in Assembly Office Due to Blocked Cerebral Blood Vessel
Court: "'Injury' Means Damage Caused by External Impact"

A former member of the National Assembly who collapsed due to a cerebrovascular disease while on duty requested payment of medical expenses and allowances, but the court rejected the claim, stating that it was a "disease, not an injury."

According to the legal community on October 7, the Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 3 (Presiding Judge Choi Sujin) recently ruled against former Assemblyman Jeong Jaeho in a lawsuit he filed against the Republic of Korea seeking disaster compensation.

Former Assemblyman Jeong, who served in the 20th National Assembly, collapsed in his office in 2018 due to symptoms of a blocked cerebral blood vessel and was hospitalized for treatment. He was later registered as a person with a severe disability. In 2024, he requested payment of medical expenses and allowances from the National Assembly Secretariat, but when his request was denied, he filed a lawsuit. Jeong's legal team argued, "Since the stress from work was the cause, it should be considered an 'injury.'"

However, the court stated, "The 'injury' defined by law refers to damage caused by external impact, unlike wounds, and is distinct from diseases that arise from internal factors." The court continued, "This incident should be regarded as a disease resulting from an underlying condition or internal bodily factors, and cannot be seen as an injury caused by external impact," thereby rejecting the plaintiff's claim.

The court further explained, "Given that the relevant law separately defines injury and occupational disease, it is difficult to accept the plaintiff's interpretation."