The type and scale of public works projects have expanded in recent days, and the technologies for the design and construction related to such projects have become increasingly sophisticated. As a result, unintended or unexpected outcomes of public wo...
The type and scale of public works projects have expanded in recent days, and the technologies for the design and construction related to such projects have become increasingly sophisticated. As a result, unintended or unexpected outcomes of public works projects are wreaking havoc on the general public, which has increased the necessity and significance of compensation for indirect losses. However, because the current “Land Compensation Act” presumes extremely limited compensation with regard to compensation for indirect losses, compensations tend not to be made appropriately. As the existing system fails to adequately reflect the reality, significant costs are being incurred by the nation and the entire society due to various conflicts such as civil complaints raised in connection with compensation and reparation. Therefore, it is important to provide tangible relief to the victims who have suffered damages in connection with disputes arising out of the issue of compensation for indirect losses, and also to ensure that public works projects are seamlessly implemented. To this end, an efficient and equitable compensation system needs to be established by clearly defining the fundamental standards for and approaches to compensation for indirect losses.
One of the problems is that theoretical studies into the concept, legal grounds, and characteristics of compensation for indirect losses have not sufficiently been conducted. In previous discussions on compensation for indirect losses, compensation was implemented selectively in the absence of a clear definition of the above-mentioned factors, which inevitably led to confusion with regard to the systemicity of such discussions such as the scope or limitation thereof. In this respect, this study has aimed to define the systematic position of compensation for indirect losses by taking the concept and the features thereof into consideration. Moreover, in order to resolve fundamental problems, this study has also proposed directions for improvement with regard to the legislation and policies related to the target and scope of compensation for indirect losses, in addition to defining the concept thereof.
Meanwhile, under the dualistic framework of “ compensation for losses ” and “indemnification for damages,” compensation for indirect losses, which is ambivalent, can be interpreted differently depending on whether it is considered as compensation for losses or indemnification for damages. However, as there exists no consentient judgement thereon in cases where there are deficiencies in compensation regulations, resolutions are being made on an ad hoc basis. In this regard, this study has sought to review the legal principles as to which one of “compensation for losses” and “indemnification for damages” is more effective for practically providing relief to victims in the absence of relevant legal provisions, and also to deduce an agreeable standard by readjusting the scope of application of compensation for losses and indemnification for damages depending on specific circumstances.
Additionally, by shedding new light on compensation for the losses that are not presumed by the Land Compensation Act, such as “losses of livelihood or damages of non-property legal profits as a result of indirect infringement,” from the viewpoint of supportive measures such as assistance program for residents, and by attempting to include the legal system for supporting surrounding areas as one of the factors that constitute the legal system for compensation for indirect losses, this study has attempted to resolve problems related to compensation for indirect losses in a more practical manner within the current legal system. Through such attempts, it is expected that compensation for property rights and livelihood, as well as compensation for non-property rights, will co-exist under a mutually complementary relationship within the framework of compensation for indirect losses rather than under a conflicting relationship, which will likely contribute to the prevention and resolution of conflicts among interested parties.