Injured at Work in Korea? — How to File Industrial Accident Insurance (산재) 2026

Injured at Work? Read This Before You Do Anything Else

Workplace injuries happen. In Korean factories, construction sites, and farms, foreign workers face higher injury rates than Korean workers — language barriers, unfamiliar equipment, and pressure to work fast all contribute. The first 48 hours after an injury determine whether you get full coverage or end up paying everything yourself.

This guide is structured as an FAQ because every injured worker's situation is slightly different. Find your question, get your answer, take action.

Emergency: What Do I Do Right Now?

"I just got hurt. What's the first step?"
Go to the hospital. Immediately. Don't "wait and see." Tell them it's a workplace injury — say "산재" (sanjae). This word determines whether the bill goes to Industrial Accident Insurance (free) or your personal health insurance (you pay 20-30%). If it's serious, call 119 — the ambulance is free.

"Do I need my employer's permission to go to the hospital?"
No. Absolutely not. You have the right to seek treatment at any hospital, any time. Some employers tell workers to wait or go to a specific clinic — ignore that. Your health comes first.

"I can't speak Korean at the hospital. What do I do?"
Call 1345 (Foreign Resident Helpline) for phone interpretation. Or show hospital staff this on your phone: "산재입니다. 직장에서 다쳤습니다." (This is a work injury. I was injured at work.)

Reporting and Filing

"Who reports the injury?"
Your employer is legally required to file an Industrial Accident Report with COMWEL within one month. But here's what matters: if your employer won't cooperate, you can file it yourself. You don't need their signature. Call COMWEL at 1588-0075 or visit your nearest branch.

"My employer says they'll pay my hospital bills privately. Should I accept?"
No. This is the most common trap. Private payments stop whenever your employer decides. With official 산재, you're covered for as long as treatment is medically necessary — even years. Private deals also leave zero paper trail if the injury worsens later.

"My employer says filing 산재 will get me deported."
That's a lie. Filing a workplace injury claim has nothing to do with your visa. Immigration and workers' compensation are completely separate systems. This threat is illegal — report it to the Labor Office.

"My employer refuses to report it. Now what?"
File it yourself directly with COMWEL. Bring photos of the injury and accident site, your own written account of what happened, and any witness names. The Foreign Worker Consultation Center (1644-0644) can help you through the process.

What 산재 Covers — More Than You Think

• 100% of all medical costs — Hospital, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy. No copay. No limit. For as long as treatment is needed.
• 70% of your daily wage while you can't work (from day 4 — first 3 days are your employer's responsibility)
• Disability compensation if the injury causes permanent effects
• Vocational rehabilitation if you can't return to your previous job
• Death benefits for fatal accidents — family receives compensation regardless of whether they're in Korea

All of this is paid by your employer's insurance. Nothing comes from your pocket.

Situations You Might Be In

"I'm undocumented. Can I still file?"
Yes. 산재 covers ALL workers in Korea regardless of visa status. COMWEL does not report your immigration status when processing a claim. Even undocumented workers have full rights to industrial accident compensation.

"It happened during overtime / at a company dinner."
산재 isn't limited to official work hours. Overtime injuries, injuries during company-required events, and some commuting accidents all qualify.

"It's been weeks since the accident."
You have up to 3 years to file. Sooner is always better — evidence is fresher. But if you missed the initial window, it's not too late.

"Can my employer fire me for filing?"
No. Korean law prohibits dismissal while receiving 산재 treatment and for 30 days after treatment ends. If they threaten you, that's illegal retaliation.

Save These Numbers Now

Put these in your phone before you need them:

• 119 — Emergency / Ambulance
• 1588-0075 — COMWEL (Workers' Compensation)
• 1350 — Labor Rights Helpline
• 1345 — Foreign Resident Helpline (multilingual)
• 1644-0644 — Foreign Worker Consultation Center
• 1577-0071 — EPS Foreign Workforce Counseling Center (18 languages)

The industrial accident system exists for exactly this situation. Your employer has been paying insurance premiums for it. Using it isn't "causing trouble" — it's using a right you're entitled to. Would you skip health insurance when you're sick? Then don't skip 산재 when you're hurt at work.

If you're worried about what happens after recovery — whether you can keep working, change jobs, or what happens to your contract — we cover that too. And understanding your visa type helps you know exactly what protections apply to your specific situation.