Rechargeable secondary battery having improved safety against puncture and collapse

Disclosed is a secondary rechargeable battery having improved safety against puncture and collapse. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly (110) including a first electrode (111), a second electrode (112), and a separator (113) between the first electrode (111) and the second electrode (112), a case (120) receiving the electrode assembly (110), and a cap plate (150) coupled to the case (120). A first metal plate (161) is provided being electrically connected to the first uncoated region (111 c) of the electrode assembly (110), and a second metal plate (162) is provided being electrically connected to the second uncoated region (112c) of the electrode assembly (110). The first and second metal plates are preferably disposed between the electrode assembly and the case.