A can type lithium secondary battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator, a can for receiving the electrode assembly and an electrolyte, and a cap assembly including a cap plate, an electrode terminal and a gasket, the cap assembly closing an upper opening of the can, wherein the electrode terminal comes into electrical contact with an upper surface of the cap plate when the can type lithium secondary battery is deformed by a longitudinal pressure.