August 29, 2009
SEOUL (AFP) - A South Korean court has ruled that a worker who fell and died after drinking sessions with his boss was the victim of an industrial accident.
Overturning a lower court ruling, the Seoul High Court decided that relatives of the deceased identified as Chung are entitled to compensation from a state fund, the Korea Times and other newspapers reported Friday.
Under Korea's workplace culture employees often feel obliged to join in drinking sessions after work when invited by a boss.
Chung's relatives had filed suit against the state fund after it refused to recognise his death as an industrial accident.
Chung died in 2007 after falling down steps on his way home from drinking sessions hosted by his boss.
He gulped down more than 12 "bombshells," a mixture of beer and a Korean spirit called soju, in two sessions.
Relatives said the intake was far beyond Chung's usual capacity and he was already reeling before taking part in the second session.
"Excessive drinks from the company-hosted drinking sessions prevented him from behaving normally and judging soundly, resulting in the accident. This death is tantamount to a workplace death," the high court said in a statement.
