Workplace Injury Recognized for Teacher in Her 20s; Survivor Benefits Approved

A teacher in her 20s, identified as Ms. A, who died after going to work with influenza at a kindergarten in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, has been recognized as having suffered a work-related accident. Consequently, the deliberation for pension payments (survivor benefits) to her bereaved family has also passed. The Korean Teachers Pension Fund deliberated and approved the 'survivor benefits for work-related death' requested by Ms. A's family on the 8th, following a re-evaluation after the initial deliberation was postponed last month.

The bereaved family argued that there was a causal link between Ms. A's death and her work, stating that she could not receive proper treatment due to an excessive workload, despite a flu outbreak within the kindergarten at the time of her employment. Data submitted by the family to the Teachers Pension Fund indicated that a total of 47 individuals, including 45 children and 2 teachers, contracted the flu at the kindergarten from October of the previous year until Ms. A's death in February. Ms. A worked during a period when 12 children were confirmed to have the flu between January 26 and 29. She continued to work for three days even after being diagnosed with Influenza B on January 27.

Her condition worsened with symptoms of fever and vomiting, leading to her admission to the intensive care unit on January 31. She passed away on February 14. The family mentioned that Ms. A, being a relatively new teacher, felt pressure about using sick leave, explaining that if she took time off, other teachers would have to cover her duties, putting her in an uncomfortable position. Her fellow teachers reportedly also expressed reluctance to use sick leave or annual leave.

The Korean Teachers' Union commented on the decision, stating, 'This is an acknowledgment by a public institution that the cause of the deceased's death was not a personal illness but the working environment that prevented her from resting even when sick.' They also urged the Ministry of Education to take responsible action in creating an educational environment that operates through systemic support, rather than relying on the sacrifices of teachers, using this recognition of a work-related accident as an opportunity.