News of the eligibility for alimony for Pohang residents at the time of the earthquake has led to an overwhelming influx of inquiries at the Pohang Support Center, disrupting normal operations. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
POHANG, Nov. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – Following a local court’s decision to grant emotional damages compensation to citizens of the city of Pohang affected by an earthquake, a surge in similar lawsuits has overwhelmed legal channels. The websites of law firms managing these cases have crashed due to high traffic, and civic organizations and law offices are being inundated with hundreds of people daily.
As reported by the city of Pohang on Tuesday, in response to escalating demand, a comprehensive question-and-answer guide addressing citizens’ most pressing concerns about the Pohang earthquake damages lawsuit has been urgently compiled.
This guide was distributed to frontline administrative welfare centers, accompanied by the establishment of a dedicated phone line offering information on necessary lawsuit documentation.
On November 16, the Pohang Support Center of the Daegu District Court ruled that the earthquakes of November 15, 2017 (main quake), and February 11, 2018 (aftershock) were linked to a geothermal power project, holding the state responsible for compensation. The court awarded plaintiffs who experienced both earthquakes 3 million won, and 2 million won for those who experienced only one earthquake.
News of the eligibility for alimony for Pohang residents at the time of the earthquake has led to an overwhelming influx of inquiries at the Pohang Support Center, disrupting normal operations.
A court official stated, “We are fielding calls from plaintiffs inquiring about case outcomes, as well as queries regarding necessary documents and procedures for filing a lawsuit.” The official added, “We are exploring options such as establishing a separate information center.”
The Pohang Citizens’ Response Center for Earthquake Damages, the first to file a lawsuit, is facing a daily onslaught of visitors. Long lines extend for hundreds of meters outside the organization’s office, and the website of the law firm hired to represent citizens has crashed due to the sheer volume of traffic.
The offices of the lawyers from the Pohang Regional Joint Litigation Group, which filed a lawsuit concurrently, are also experiencing overcrowding.
With Pohang’s population standing at 510,000 during the earthquake, potential alimony claims could reach 1.5 trillion won if all citizens participate. As the case’s magnitude is poised to reverberate through Pohang’s legal landscape, competition among law firms is intense. Pohang’s online communities are actively promoting participation in earthquake lawsuits.
However, concerns about frivolous litigation persist. Some individuals believe they can secure compensation merely by filing a lawsuit, often signing contracts without clarifying attorney fees or terms.
Recalling the 2004 ‘K2 Air Base’ noise damages lawsuit in Daegu, where residents received 36.12 billion won in damages and delayed interest, accompanied by controversy over exorbitant legal fees, caution is advised. Despite the lawyer in charge facing embezzlement charges, they were ultimately acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2019.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
