ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY HAVING PROTECTION TAPE AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY INCLUDING THE SAME

An electrode assembly and a rechargeable battery that can prevent an active material from separating and prevent a short circuit and damage due to a tab that is attached to a current collector are provided. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator that is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode has a positive electrode coating portion in which a positive electrode active material layer is formed and a positive electrode uncoated region in which a positive electrode active material layer is not formed, and a positive electrode tab is attached to the positive electrode uncoated region. A first positive electrode protection tape is attached to the positive electrode uncoated region, and the first positive electrode protection tape includes a first cover that covers the side end of the positive electrode coating portion and a second cover that is extended from the first cover and that covers both the positive electrode tab and the positive electrode uncoated region.