National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea
Act on Social Security, and the fact that the plaintiff’s artificial leg not only assists
his body, but also replaces his leg functionally, physically, and practically. It asked
the Supreme Court to take full account of these extenuating factors in its ruling.
In line with the opinion presented by the NHRCK, the Supreme Court ruled in favor
of the plaintiff, saying that when an employee’s artificial leg, which not only assists
the employee’s body but also replaces the employee’s leg functionally, physically, and
practically is destroyed during work, it is subject to medical care benefits under the
Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act on July 10, 2014. As such, the
Commission contributed significantly to improving the working condition of workers
with disabilities.
5. Highlights of Statements Issued on Important Human
Rights Issues
A. Chairperson’s Statement on the Suicide of Mother with her
Two Daughters
Late February 2014, a mother and her two daughters killed themselves while in
desperate economic difficulties due to a lack of any support from the social security
system established by the state and local governments. In the wake of this tragic
news, the social consensus for the need to eliminate the blind spot of the social welfare
system and strengthen the social safety net for the poor was developed. In this regard,
the Commission issued the Chairperson’s statement on March 7, 2014, demanding that
the government identify the fundamental causes of blind spots in the social security
system, re-establish a tighter social safety net, and prioritize the budget providing
support for the destitute, in light of the right to enjoy a worthy life for human beings
Chapter 1. Improvement of Laws, Regulations, Institutions, Policies and Practices ▪▪▪ 49