Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on Feb. 3, regarding the Semiconductor Special Act, said, “When asked, ‘Why not allow high-income experts in research and development to work beyond the 52-hour limit as an exception, if they agree to it?’ I had nothing to say.” Applying the 52-hour workweek on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis rather than weekly for research positions is a reasonable solution that harms no one. Yet, Lee and the Democratic Party have consistently rejected any exceptions to the rule due to opposition from labor unions.
Work-hour flexibility has long been a top priority for businesses. Chinese companies focus on research and development without worrying about labor laws. The United States has no restrictions on overtime, and Japan exempts high-income researchers from work-hour limits. In a global market where competition never stops, how can South Korean firms keep up? The rapid development of DeepSeek Shock, an artificial intelligence system created by Chinese researchers, highlights the intense global race in cutting-edge technology. Chinese researchers probably do not even know the concept of a “52-hour workweek.”
The semiconductor industry is not just about the economy; it is a frontline that shapes global military and security landscapes. South Korea, which has built semiconductors into a key strategic industry, cannot afford to be restrained by rigid “Taliban-style” 52-hour workweek laws at this critical time. Instead of prioritizing labor unions, Lee must make the necessary decision to reform the 52-hour workweek for the country and its people.
