I. Compensation for work-related CCVDs, MD and Suicide 2020

In 2020, the number of industrial accident judgments for occupational cerebro-cardiovascular diseases was 2,429, and the number of approved cases was 929 with an approval rate of 38.25%. Of these, 670 were died and 273 were approved as industrial accidents.

The number of industrial accident judgments for occupational mental disorders was 581 cases and the number of approved cases was 396 and the approval rate was 68.16%.

The number of industrial accident judgments for occupational suicides was 87 and the number of approved cases was 61 and the approval rate was 70.11%.

II. Trends in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases (CCVDs)

In 2020, the number of industrial accident judgments for occupational cerebro-cardiovascular diseases was 2,429, and the number of approved cases was 929 with an approval rate of 38.25%. Of these, 670 were died and 273 were approved as industrial accidents.

The number of industrial accident judgments for occupational mental disorders was 581 cases and the number of approved cases was 396 and the approval rate was 68.16%.

The number of industrial accident judgments for occupational suicides was 87 and the number of approved cases was 61 and the approval rate was 70.11%.

III. Trends in mental disorders and suicide 

The number of claims and approval of work-related mental disorders and suicides for the last 6 years (2015-2020) has been steadily increasing. The approval rate for work-related mental disorders also increased from 38.18% in 2015 to 68.16% in 2020, and the approval rate for work-related suicides increased from 37.29% in 2015 to 70.11% in 2020. In 2018, the approval rate for work-related mental disorders and suicides increased by 15.85%p and 22.86%p respectively from the previous year. It is due to the overall increase in the approval rate by interpreting the criteria in the screening process more broadly than before along with the change in the composition of the judges in the Disease Determination Committee.

IIV. Statistical Analysis

1) CCVD (estimated deaths from overwork) 

The number of deaths from cerebro-cardiovascular diseases that have been approved as industrial accidents is increasing every year from 149 in 2015 to 292 in 2019. In 2018, as the government relaxed the standards for approval of overwork deaths, the approval rate increased compared to the previous year. It was previously considered that diseases from 'chronic overwork' were highly correlated with work when working hours exceeded an average of 60 hours per week during the 12 weeks before the onset of illness. In the revised government guideline in 2018, it changed the standard working hours to an average of 52 hours per week and added a weighted condition that could increase the workload. For example, when calculating overtime hours, night shifts were to be added to 30% of daytime working hours.

Even if the approval rate for overwork deaths has increased, but among 3,767 workers who have claimed of industrial accidents compensation for cerebral and cardiovascular diseases in the past six years, 1,335 have been approved as overwork deaths. The approval rate for overwork deaths is 35%, only half of the overall occupational disease approval rate of 60%.

In order to reduce long working hours, the 52-hour workweek (40 hours a week + 12 overtime hours) was implemented in workplaces and public institutions with 300 or more employees from July 1 in 2018. The scope of application has been expanded to workplaces with 50 or more fewer than 300 employees from January 1 in 2020 and with 5 or more and fewer than 50 employees from July 1 in 2021. However, from 2018 to 2020, nearly 300 deaths from overwork occurred every year and overwork deaths are still not decreasing.

On July 17 in 2021, the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization published a joint research report that analyzed the number of deaths from cerebro-cardiovascular diseases caused by long working hours in 194 countries from 2000 to 2016. According to the report, in 2016, 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people in South Korea were due to long working hours. With the data of the Korean National Statistical Office, the number of deaths from cerebro-cardiovascular diseases in 2016 was estimated as 2,610. Judging from the figures in the report, it is estimated that the number of deaths from overwork that is not included in the current industrial accident statistics is likely to be higher.

2) Work-related mental disorders and suicides 

In the last 6 years (2015-2020), the number of claims and approvals for work-related mental disorders and suicides has been steadily increasing. The approval rate for work-related mental disorders also increased from 38.18% in 2015 to 68.16% in 2020, and the approval rate for work-related suicides increased from 37.29% in 2015 to 70.11% in 2020. Although the approval rate has risen since 2018, the threshold for industrial accident claims is still high.

According to OECD Health Statistics 2021, South Korea has 24.7 suicide deaths per 100,000 people, which is more than double the OECD average of 11 and the highest among OECD countries. In addition, the number of suicide deaths in South Korea in 2019 was 13,799, and the National Police Agency's death toll statistics in 2019 showed that 598 people died due to work-related problems. However, the number of claims of industrial accident suicides in 2019 was 72, compared to 598 who died due to work-related problems in the National Police Agency's death toll statistics, the number of claims of occupational suicides is still very low at about 12%.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the risk of mental health deterioration and suicide is increasing significantly. According to the 2021 Suicide Prevention White Paper released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on July 4 in 2021, the number of suicide deaths in 2020 was 13,018 as of the preliminary estimate, which is a decrease from 2019. However, experts predict the possibility of an increase in suicides two to three years after the economic and social impact of COVID-19 is in full swing. In South Korea, there was a rapid increase in the suicide rate right after the IMF financial crisis in 1998. When the suicide rate soars, the potential risk of overwork suicide may also increase. It is time to consider preparation from past experiences.