At a glance, this case answers a hard question:
Can a serious illness that appears decades later still be legally tied to frontline public service? The court said yes.

Key Takeaways

Who was involved:

A Korean firefighter with 29 years of service.

Diagnosed in 2021 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).


What he asked for:

Official recognition of his leukemia as a work-related disease, which would qualify him for public service medical benefits.


Why the government said no:

Authorities argued he had performed direct firefighting duties for only about 2 years and 2 months.

The illness appeared over 20 years later, so they claimed there was no clear causal link.


What the firefighter argued:

Over nearly three decades, he was repeatedly dispatched to fire scenes.

Protective gear was often insufficient, especially earlier in his career.

He was continually exposed to toxic substances like benzene and formaldehyde.

Even as a commander and fire station chief, he still went to scenes and was exposed, just like frontline firefighters.


What the court decided:

The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in his favor.

The leukemia was recognized as a work-related occupational disease.


Why the court agreed:

He had responded to hundreds of fire scenes over more than 26 years.

Commanders at fire scenes often stand very close to the fire, not safely removed.

Due to their role, commanders frequently cannot wear full respiratory protection, as they must communicate and report in real time.

Photos, videos, and colleague testimony confirmed substantial exposure to hazardous materials.


Legal significance:

The court acknowledged a “substantial causal relationship” between long-term toxic exposure and leukemia.

Exposure during command and supervisory roles counts, not just hands-on firefighting.


Why This Ruling Matters:

It broadens how courts view occupational exposure, especially for senior or supervisory public servants.

It recognizes the long-term health costs of frontline service, even when illness appears decades later.

It sets a meaningful precedent for firefighters and other first responders seeking recognition of delayed-onset diseases.


🔥 Bottom line:
Service does not stop being dangerous just because the job title changes. The court affirmed that long years spent leading from the scene still leave real, lasting traces on the body.

Article: https://www.lawtimes.co.kr/Case-curation/214099