Yongsan "Semiconductor Crisis... Special Act Including '52-Hour Workweek Exception' Must Be Passed"

Yeo "Delete '52-hour workweek exception' from Semiconductor Special Act"
Presidential Office Opposes... "Bill Must Pass Including It"
"Semiconductor Crisis" Yongsan Watches Closely... "Support Discussions"

As the possibility of removing the weekly 52-hour workweek exemption clause from the 'Semiconductor Special Act' increases, the Presidential Office has repeatedly expressed its opposition. They explained that flexible working hours are essential for Korean companies to maintain competitiveness in the global semiconductor market, where the speed of technology development and production is crucial. A senior official from the Presidential Office said to Asia Economy on the 26th, "In the case of research and development (R&D), it holds very significant meaning in the actual semiconductor industry," and added, "It is appropriate to pass the Semiconductor Special Act including the weekly 52-hour exemption clause."

Currently, the People Power Party is pushing the Semiconductor Special Act with the weekly 52-hour exemption clause as its party policy. However, the opposition parties oppose including the exemption clause, citing concerns about the spread of long working hours. Given the National Assembly's composition, where the Democratic Party holds the majority, it is difficult for the bill to pass if the Democratic Party opposes it.

The Presidential Office's stance is that the weekly 52-hour exemption clause in the Semiconductor Special Act should not be subject to negotiation. The senior official emphasized, "The weekly 52-hour exemption is necessary. We must consider the extremely fierce international competition in the semiconductor industry." This is interpreted as reflecting the President's will to immediately lift the weekly 52-hour regulation for semiconductor R&D personnel.

In particular, the Presidential Office is closely monitoring the recent widening gap between domestic semiconductor companies and U.S. and Taiwanese companies such as Nvidia and TSMC, as well as the close pursuit by Chinese and Japanese companies. The ongoing slump of Samsung Electronics amid growing global uncertainties is also a factor under consideration.

The official said, "Support for the semiconductor industry is continuously being reviewed," and added, "At present, the most important issue is to ensure that the Semiconductor Special Act can pass in the National Assembly."