Man Sentenced for Severing Arm to Claim 100 Million Won in Compensation

A man in his early thirties has received a suspended prison sentence for intentionally severing his own arm to fraudulently claim over 100 million won in industrial accident compensation. The incident occurred on December 21, 2020, when the man, while working at a supermarket in Asan, used a bone fracture tool to cut off his own arm.

He then deceived the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, receiving approximately 122.3 million won in benefits, including medical care, over a period of nearly four years. The man had previously been sentenced to one year and two months in prison for insurance fraud, related to receiving over 100 million won from private insurance companies for the same incident, and had served that sentence.

In delivering the sentence, the presiding judge cited several factors, including the need to ensure equitable sentencing in light of the previous prison term, the defendant's efforts to compensate the victim, his sister's pledge to support his legitimate economic activities, and the defendant's remorse. The court ultimately handed down a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

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The court considered the need for sentencing equity with the case where the defendant received a prison sentence, the defendant's efforts to compensate the victim, his sister's pledge to help his sound economic activities, and the defendant's remorse, comprehensively considering all sentencing factors.