Samsung Alum Godongjin: "Semiconductor Law Including 52-Hour Exception Must Be Passed"

"South Korean Companies Forced to Leave Work to Comply with 52-Hour Limit"
"Must Pass Plenary Session Through Bipartisan Leadership Decision"

Ko Dong-jin, a member of the People Power Party and former president of Samsung Electronics, said on the 26th, "I request the members of the Democratic Party's bill subcommittee, especially the leadership, to pass the Semiconductor Special Act, including the exception clause for the 52-hour workweek, from a grand perspective." Amid difficulties in passing the Semiconductor Special Act, which includes the exception clause for the 52-hour workweek due to disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties, he urged the leadership of both parties to reach a progressive agreement.

People Power Party lawmaker Go Dong-jin is walking inside the National Assembly grounds. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

In a statement released that day, Representative Ko said, "For the future of the nation and youth, I proposed the Semiconductor Special Act on June 19th, and it was first discussed in the Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Venture Business Committee (SanJaWi) on November 21st, but ultimately, no bipartisan agreement was reached." He explained, "There were three major issues: first, whether to include the exception clause for the 52-hour workweek in the special act; second, whether to insert the term ‘subsidy’ in financial support; and third, the suggestion to have National Assembly nominees in the Semiconductor Special Committee."

He added, "Regarding the biggest issue, the ‘exception clause for the 52-hour workweek,’ the absolute majority of Democratic Party members in the SanJaWi bill subcommittee opposed it," emphasizing, "Although I explained the necessity of the clause and the difficulties faced on the ground, it seemed like a sacred area that should not be touched."

Representative Ko argued, "Semiconductor research and development (R&D) involves high technical difficulty such as fine processes and high-density direct circuit design, and long working hours are inevitable to secure yield and product competitiveness during product development." He continued, "Since multiple customized products for different customers must be developed simultaneously, securing flexibility in working hours is essential for core engineers."

He further stated, "To ensure work immersion of semiconductor personnel, advanced overseas countries such as the United States, Taiwan, and Japan have long implemented flexible working hours." However, he said, "In the increasingly fierce competition, Korean companies are forcibly sending employees home to comply with the 52-hour workweek."

Representative Ko concluded, "Now is not the time to consider political gains or losses. We must prepare all support, including institutional improvements, so that Korean companies can fiercely compete with companies from competing countries as soon as possible." He added, "It seems somewhat difficult to conclude the exception clause for the 52-hour workweek at the standing committee bill subcommittee level. I ask for the decision of the leadership of both parties so that it can pass the plenary session and be implemented as soon as possible, and I will also do my best efforts."