Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service Operates Emphasis Period for April Industrial Accident Insurance Fraud Reporting

On November 24 last year, at a rally organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, portraits of 99 workers who died from industrial accidents were placed to urge the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service announced on the 31st that it will operate the 'Industrial Accident Insurance Fraud Reporting Emphasis Period' for the entire next month.

The Service emphasized that fraudulent claims, such as pretending to be an industrial accident worker when one is not, or manipulating the average wage to receive higher compensation, are serious crimes. Those who fraudulently claim benefits, or who induce or assist in such acts, face imprisonment of up to three years or fines of up to 30 million won.

Last year, the Service detected 308 cases of fraudulent claims, recovered 7.4 billion won in illicit gains, and prevented 36.2 billion won in improper insurance payments. 48.5% of all fraud cases were uncovered through public interest reports.

Public interest reports can be made through the Industrial Accident Fraud Reporting Center operated by the Service. The center operates via the Service’s website and telephone. Under the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act, the identity of the reporter is protected, and a reward of up to 30 million won is given upon confirmation of fraud.

Kang Soonhee, Director of the Service, stated, "So far, the Service has conducted preventive campaigns targeting insurance beneficiaries and joint investigations with the National Police Agency, and will continue to do its best to prevent and detect fraudulent claims. We ask the public for active interest and reporting."

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