South Korea occupational cancer claims surge as approval rates drop

Applications for occupational cancer industrial accident compensation in South Korea have increased nearly sixfold over the past seven years. According to data from the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service provided to lawmaker Park Hae-cheol, annual applications rose from 279 in 2018 to 1,614 in 2023.

Despite the surge in applications, approval rates have significantly declined. The overall approval rate dropped from 73.5% in 2018 to 36.1% in the first half of 2024. Lung cancer applications, which account for approximately 70% of all occupational cancer claims, saw their approval rate fall from 91.0% in 2018 to 44.9% in the first half of 2024. Leukemia approval rates experienced an even sharper decline, falling to 17.2% during the same period.

In contrast, mesothelioma approval rates remained high, staying above 85% due to the clear causal link with asbestos exposure. Lawmaker Park has called for an expansion of the ‘presumption principle’—currently limited to specific industries like semiconductors—to all sectors involving hazardous substances to ease the burden of proof for workers.