Gyeonggi Province to Continue Operating 'Gyeonggi Youth Military Service Injury Insurance' This Year

# A 21-year-old on active duty suffered a fractured finger during routine duties at his unit and underwent treatment.

After hearing from a senior about applying for the 'Gyeonggi Youth Military Service Injury Insurance' benefit, he prepared the necessary documents on his discharge day and filed an insurance claim.

After receiving the insurance payout days later, A said, "I plan to receive physical therapy during my next leave with the insurance money" and expressed hope that "not just soldiers living in Gyeonggi Province, but all soldiers in South Korea could receive this benefit regardless of where they reside."

# B, 25 years old and approaching discharge, collapsed during training last year and was hospitalized, where he received a diagnosis of a tumor.

He underwent tumor removal surgery at a private hospital and incurred substantial medical bills during his hospitalization for recovery.

Shortly after B's discharge, his mother filed a claim for the 'Gyeonggi Youth Military Service Injury Insurance' and received approximately 3 million won in total.

B's mother said, "It was painful enough for my son to suffer illness during military service, but the large medical bills added economic hardship. However, receiving support from Gyeonggi Province was comforting."

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Nohun] Gyeonggi Province continues its 'Military Service Gyeonggi Youth Injury Insurance Support Program' this year to expand social safety nets and provide psychological, physical, and economic support for young people fulfilling their national defense obligations.

It marks the fourth year since its pioneering adoption among provincial governments nationwide in November 2018.

Young military personnel with household registration in Gyeonggi Province can receive insurance payouts according to the type of injury sustained during military service without a separate enrollment process.

Currently, approximately 100,000 young people in the province are receiving benefits.

Starting this year, insurance payouts per surgery for injury or illness during military service will increase from the existing 50,000 won to 200,000 won.

Additionally, in case of death or disability from explosions, fires, or structural collapses—which are highly likely given military service characteristics—insurance benefits of up to 20 million won will be paid.

The newly applied provisions take effect for claims filed for injuries or illnesses occurring on or after January 15 this year.

Other insurance payouts include ▲30 million won for death from injury or illness ▲up to 30 million won for injury-related disability ▲up to 30 million won for illness-related disability (80% or higher disability rating) ▲35,000 won per hospitalization day (up to 180 days) ▲250,000 won diagnostic benefit for fracture or burns.

If Gyeonggi youth suffered illness or injury during military service after November 2018, they can file insurance claims within three years from the date of occurrence.

Eligible recipients include not only active duty personnel in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, but also standby reserve personnel, military police, military maritime police, and military firefighters.

However, supplementary military service personnel such as social service workers and professional military officers are excluded as their employers already have group insurance coverage.

Insurance claims can be filed by contacting the Gyeonggi Youth Injury Insurance dedicated call center (070-4693-1655, 070-8892-3786), confirming required documents, and submitting them.

Insurance benefits are then paid after examination in accordance with insurance policy terms.

Meanwhile, the province has paid a total of 3.07 billion won in insurance benefits through the 'Military Service Gyeonggi Youth Injury Insurance.' In a satisfaction survey conducted in the second half of last year, approximately 89% of young people expressed satisfaction with the overall program, 95.6% supported its continuation, and 90.5% supported its nationwide expansion.