Ministers Clash Over 52-Hour Workweek Exception

Opinions among relevant government ministers were divided over the 52-hour workweek exception clause, a key issue in the special act for mega-special zones currently being pursued by the government.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-관 emphasized at a Kwanhun Club debate held today at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, "The system should not forcefully block the willingness of young people who want to work," stressing the need for exemptions from the 52-hour workweek rule within mega-special zones.

[Kim Jung-kwan / Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy : I believe the system should not break the enthusiasm and will of people who want to work hard and achieve something through their labor.]

Minister Kim stated, "The issue of the 52-hour workweek must be compared with China, our biggest competitor," sharing an anecdote he heard during a business trip to China while working in the private sector.

Minister Kim recounted being astonished after hearing from an official at an IT company in Chongqing, China, who said that when they tried to introduce the "996" system—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—employees protested, asking, "How can we compete with other companies if we work only that much?", which ultimately led to a system where they work until midnight.

He pointed out, "Internal competition in China is truly fierce," adding, "Chinese workers also believe that the company must grow for them to take home a salary, which is why they worry about companies reducing working hours."

Minister Kim further emphasized, "The system must not dampen the desire and will of people who want to work hard and achieve," noting, "We need to overhaul the working hours system across cutting-edge industries, including startups as well as the research and development sector."

These remarks by Minister Kim Jung-kwan contrast significantly with the stance of Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon.

Minister Kim Young-hoon mentioned during a meeting with reporters yesterday that major domestic semiconductor companies are currently implementing the 52-hour workweek and stated, "They are generating massive profits even without exceptions."

He added, "It is not as if we are being overtaken by overseas competitors," and argued, "Treating the allowance of exceptions to the 52-hour workweek as if it is indispensable is overblown, making healthy debate difficult."

(Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Kim Na-on | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.