A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, a case for housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly to be attached to the case for sealing the case and to have a terminal exposed outside the case, and a lead element which electrically connects the electrode assembly to the terminal. The electrode assembly includes an uncoated region where an active material is not present and the lead element has a configuration corresponding to that of the uncoated region and is closely affixed to the uncoated region.