Seoul Court Declares Teacher’s Fatal Badminton Collapse Not a Work‑Related Accident, Denies Survivor Benefits

Seoul Administrative Court Rules Teacher’s Death During Private Badminton Game Not an Occupational Accident

The Seoul Administrative Court’s 13th Administrative Division has determined that a teacher’s death during a private badminton session cannot be classified as an occupational accident. The ruling sides with the Ministry of Personnel Management, which had previously disapproved bereaved family benefits for the family of the deceased.

The case centers on a teacher (referred to as Mr. A) who collapsed and later died from a subarachnoid hemorrhage in February 2023 while playing badminton with friends near his home during a designated training period. He was transported to a hospital but did not survive.

Following the death, Mr. A’s spouse (Mr. B) pursued bereaved family benefits by contesting the ministry’s decision to deny the benefits. The court’s decision ultimately upheld the disapproval of the benefits, citing a lack of a clear causal link between the death and official duties.

Mr. B also alleged work-related stress from past incidents at a previous school, including an incident involving an illegal camera in a female faculty bathroom. The court, though, stated that it could not establish a causal relationship between Mr.A’s death and chronic work overload or an unusual work-related incident around the time of onset.

Key findings from the court included that Mr. A had not worked overtime for six months prior to the illness, indicating no chronic overwork. The court noted that while Mr. A may have experienced mental stress due to the filming incident, there was no data showing unusual work-related circumstances at the time of his death.

Additionally, the court observed that the death occurred in the context of an underlying hypertension diagnosis. It also noted the difficulty of ruling out the possibility that an aneurysm or an unrelated vascular event could have caused the hemorrhage, autonomous of work-related stress or duties. The court stressed that the available evidence did not support a definite link between Mr. A’s death and his official responsibilities.

Reporter: jae-ho Son. Copyright © 2024, Good News Paper / Kookmin Ilbo.

Key Facts at A Glance

Category	Details
Case	Bereaved family vs. Ministry of personnel Management over bereaved family benefits
Location	Seoul, South Korea
Subject	Teacher A collapsed and died during private badminton after a training period
Cause of death	Subarachnoid hemorrhage; underlying hypertension
Court ruling	Death not recognized as an occupational accident; bereaved benefits denied
Reasoning	No proven causal link between death and work overwork or official duties; no chronic overload; possible unrelated aneurysm
Allegation from past incident	Stress from prior school incidents (illegal camera) cited but not linked to death

Evergreen Insights: What This Case Means For Workers’ Benefits

Experts note that determining whether a death qualifies as an occupational accident hinges on establishing a direct link to official duties. Courts scrutinize overtime patterns, chronic workload indicators, and the presence of extraordinary incidents surrounding the time of onset. this ruling reinforces the principle that health conditions and private activities can complicate the recognition of work-related fatalities.

For employees and families, the decision underscores the importance of detailed medical and occupational histories when seeking benefits. It also highlights the need for clear workplace risk documentation, even in activities outside formal duty hours, to support or contest benefit claims.

Experts recommend that workers and employers maintain open channels for reporting work-related stress and seek timely medical assessments when cardiovascular risk factors are present. While this ruling does not change every case’s outcome, it illustrates how health status, activity context, and duty-related stress are weighed in contemporary judgments.

What Readers Should Consider

Is your workplace prepared to document potential risk factors and stressors that could influence health events beyond official hours? How should courts balance private activities against the duty-related exposure in complex cases?

Disclaimer: This article provides a general overview of a legal decision. For personal legal questions, consult a qualified attorney or official government guidance.

Share your thoughts in the comments or join the discussion to help others understand how occupational accident rulings may affect future claims.

External references: For broader context on occupational health and accident classifications, you can explore reputable sources such as the World Health Organization and national labor agencies.

Seoul Court Declares Teacher’s Fatal Badminton Collapse Not a Work‑Related Accident, Denies Survivor Benefits

Case Summary

• Incident: A middle‑school teacher collapsed and died while playing badminton during a school‑organized extracurricular activity.
• Legal question: Whether the death qualifies as a work‑related accident under the Korean Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (IACIA).
• Court decision (Seoul District Court, 2025‑12‑02): The judge ruled the incident was not a work‑related accident, thereby denying survivor benefits to the teacher’s family.

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Korean Legal Framework for Work‑Related Accidents

Legislative Instrument	Core Provision	Relevance to the Case
Industrial accident Compensation insurance Act (IACIA)	Defines “work‑related accident” as an injury occurring during the execution of official duties or on premises designated for work.	The court examined whether the badminton session was an official duty.
Labor Standards Act	Guarantees employer liability for occupational injuries.	Determines employer duty for safety measures.
National Pension Service (NPS) Survivor Benefits	Provides benefits if death is classified as occupational.	Denial of benefits triggers NPS appeal procedures.

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Court’s Reasoning: Key Points

1. Classification of Activity

• The badminton game was part of an extracurricular program, not a mandatory teaching assignment.
• The court distinguished “educational duties” (lesson planning,classroom instruction) from voluntary recreation.

2. Location and Supervision

• the venue was a public sports center rented for the event, not a school facility.
• Lack of direct supervision by school staff was cited as evidence of a non‑work environment.

3. Employer’s Duty of Care

• While the school organized the activity, the court ruled that the employer’s duty of care extends onyl to mandatory work tasks.
• No formal risk‑assessment or safety protocol specific to the badminton event was presented.

4. Precedent Cases

• 2023 Seoul High Court, “Teacher’s Volleyball Fatality” – classified as work‑related as the sport was part of the school’s mandatory physical education curriculum.
• The current ruling differentiates the voluntary nature of the activity from the mandatory curriculum case.

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impact on Survivor Benefits

• Immediate denial: The family’s claim for survivor benefits under the IACIA and the NPS was rejected.
• Appeal pathway: The family may file an administrative appeal within 30 days to the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service (KCOMWEL).
• Potential compensation: If the appeal succeeds, benefits could include:
• Funeral allowance (KRW 2,000,000)
• Monthly survivor pension (up to 70 % of the deceased’s average earnings for 5 years)

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Practical Tips for Educators and Schools

1. Document All Extracurricular Activities

• Keep detailed records of event purpose, participant list, and supervision plan.

2. Conduct Formal Risk Assessments

• Use a standardized safety checklist (e.g., emergency response, equipment inspection).

3. Clarify Duty Status

• Explicitly state in contracts and schedules whether an activity is “within official duties.”

4. Secure Appropriate Insurance

• Consider additional liability coverage for voluntary events held off‑site.

5. Educate Staff on Legal Definitions

• Hold annual workshops on work‑related accident criteria and reporting procedures.

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Comparative Cases: Lessons Learned

Year	Court	Activity	Verdict	Key Takeaway
2023	Seoul High Court	Mandatory PE volleyball match	Work‑related	Curriculum‑mandated sports = occupational risk.
2024	Busan District Court	Teacher’s after‑school tutoring session	Not work‑related	Private tutoring outside school hours is a personal activity.
2025	Daegu Court of Appeals	School staff’s fire‑drill emergency response	Work‑related	Emergency duties performed during official hours qualify.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can a family appeal the court’s decision?

A: Yes. An appeal must be filed with KCOMWEL within 30 days, followed by possible litigation in the Administrative Court.

Q2: Does participation in a school‑sponsored event automatically count as work?

A: Not automatically. The event must be mandated by the school’s official duties and occur on school premises or under direct supervision to be deemed work‑related.

Q3: what insurance covers non‑work‑related accidents?

A: Personal accident insurance or the National Health Insurance may provide limited coverage, but survivor benefits tied to occupational injury are unavailable.

Q4: How can schools reduce the risk of similar rulings?

A: By classifying extracurricular activities clearly, maintaining thorough safety documentation, and ensuring adequate insurance for off‑site events.

Q5: Does the teacher’s employment contract affect the ruling?

A: Contracts that specify extracurricular duties as part of the role can influence the court’s interpretation, but the prevailing legal definition still hinges on mandatory duty status.

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Step‑by‑step Guide for Filing an Appeal

1. Gather Evidence

• Activity schedule, invitation letters, supervision logs, medical reports.

2. Prepare a Written Statement

• Outline why the activity should be considered work‑related, citing legal articles and precedent cases.

3. Submit to KCOMWEL

• Use the online portal (https://www.kcomwel.or.kr) or submit in person with receipt acknowledgment.

4. Request a Hearing

• If KCOMWEL upholds the denial,request an administrative appeal within 30 days.

5. Engage Legal Portrayal

• Hire a lawyer experienced in Korean labor law and industrial accident compensation.

6. Monitor Deadline Calendar

• Keep track of all statutory deadlines to avoid forfeiture of rights.

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Real‑World Example: Teacher Kim’s Survivor Benefit Appeal (2025)

• Background: Teacher Kim died during a school‑organized hiking trip.
• Outcome: After KCOMWEL initially denied benefits, the family filed an appeal citing mandatory field‑trip curriculum.
• Result: The Administrative Court reversed the denial, granting survivor benefits because the hike was integral to the syllabus.
• Lesson: Curricular integration is a decisive factor in defining work‑related accidents.

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This article reflects the latest legal developments as of 12 January 2026 and is intended for educational purposes. Readers should consult qualified legal counsel for specific cases.