Justice Party Urges Government to Scrap 52-Hour Workweek Exemption for Mega-Zones

South Korea's Justice Party has called on the government to abandon its plan to exempt "mega-zones" from the 52-hour workweek. The party specifically targeted Industry Minister Kim Jeong-tak's recent advocacy for expanding the "white-collar exemption," arguing that longer working hours do not guarantee industrial competitiveness.

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The key to semiconductor competitiveness is not long working hours, but superior technology and business judgment.

Kim Sun-min, the Justice Party's policy chief, stated in a commentary that there is no proven link between extended working hours and semiconductor competitiveness. "The key to semiconductor competitiveness is not long working hours, but superior technology and business judgment," she asserted. The party has consistently opposed exemptions to the 52-hour workweek in discussions for the Semiconductor Special Act since late 2024, emphasizing the principle of worker health rights.

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Even under a law without exemptions, our semiconductor industry has recorded its best performance ever.

"Even under a law without exemptions, our semiconductor industry has recorded its best performance ever," Kim noted. She warned that making the 52-hour workweek an exception would come at the cost of workers' lives and health. "The minimum safety net for worker health cannot be a subject of negotiation," she stressed, highlighting the party's stance that worker well-being must be prioritized.

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The minimum safety net for worker health cannot be a subject of negotiation.