군대에서 축구하다 치료 받는 예비역…법원 “보훈보상대상자 맞다”

A court has ruled that the decision by the welfare authorities not to recognize an army reserve soldier who sustained injuries while playing soccer in the military as a beneficiary of welfare compensation is unlawful. Judge In-Cheol Kang of the Jeonju District Court announced this decision on the 16th.

The incident occurred in April 2023 when the soldier, identified as "G-seup," participated in a soccer match during a military sports event. He suffered injuries to his left leg and hip during the match, leading to a diagnosis of "medial collateral ligament injury," "joint and soft tissue damage," and subsequent medical treatment. Completed his service in October 2024, and continued to receive rehabilitation treatment after discharge.

However, in April 2025, the Jeonbuk Central Welfare Office denied his claim for welfare compensation and beneficiary status. The decision stated that the injury sustained during the soccer match did not meet the requirements as it was not directly related to his military duties or training. The court acknowledged that the injury was caused by external factors during the military sports event, but found that the connection between his military service and the injury was not substantial enough to qualify him as a beneficiary of compensation.

The court ruled that the welfare compensation denial for G-seup was unlawful and ordered its cancellation. However, they affirmed the welfare authority's decision to deny his recognition as a national hero, as his military service and the injury sustained during the soccer match did not meet the criteria for national hero status.