Godongjin "52-hour extension doesn't mean staying up all night... Shouldn't feel pressured to leave work"[Interview with Business Sector Veteran]①

"Better to fail quickly than to be late from overthinking"
"Service and dedication are the keywords of legislation... I must commit myself more"

Editor's NoteDark forecasts continue to emerge regarding the South Korean economy. Among these, analyses often point to politics holding back the economy amid rapidly changing society. How do first-term lawmakers from the business sector, who have been in the National Assembly for six months, view the current situation? What differences do they see between politicians and businesspeople? First, we met with Go Dong-jin, a member of the People Power Party and former CEO of Samsung Electronics.

On the desk of Go Dong-jin, a People Power Party lawmaker, lies a book titled Seonchak-ui Hyo. It deals with South Korea's national strategy for semiconductors and advanced industries. This reflects his determination to pass the Semiconductor Special Act, which includes exceptions to the 52-hour workweek system. Seonchak-ui Hyo is a Go (baduk) term meaning "the player who moves first has the advantage." In an interview with Asia Economy on the 2nd, Go said, "Rather than thinking too deeply and starting late, it is better to start early even if you fail," presenting the concept of Seonchak-ui Hyo for the development of semiconductors and advanced strategic industries.

Godongjin, a member of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The following is a Q&A.

There are forecasts that passing the Semiconductor Special Act, which includes exceptions to the 52-hour workweek system, will be difficult in the National Assembly's Industry, Trade and Energy Committee. What is your strategy to persuade the opposition party?

November has already passed. Another subcommittee meeting on the bill will be held next Monday (the 9th). Honestly, I’m not sure if we can discuss the Semiconductor Special Act then, but I will do my best to ensure it passes until the end. Kim Sang-hoon, the chairman of the Policy Committee, also asked everyone involved to make efforts. So, I took the lead in explaining the (semiconductor-related) bill to the lawmakers. I will also upload related materials in the lawmakers’ group chat.

The opposition claims there are exceptional methods such as flexible working hours. Why, then, do you want to include this clause in the special act?

That is true, but I think I need to explain more at the next bill subcommittee how unsuitable those methods are for current semiconductor research and development work. For example, under the selective working hours system, the 52-hour workweek is applied over a three-month period. However, there is a proviso that guarantees 11 hours of rest between working days. If there is a meeting at 8 a.m. tomorrow, it means you must leave work by 9 p.m. today. This does not mean working all night, but it means there should be no pressure to stay late and you must be allowed to leave on time.

Implementing the 52-hour workweek has also reduced working hours. Do you think those who would benefit from the exception clause want this regulation to be relaxed?

The Semiconductor Special Act clearly states it is a white-collar exemption (exemption from the 52-hour workweek for high-income workers). These are high-income workers engaged in design and research and development. Their annual salary is about 140 million won, and their rank is mid- to senior-level manager or above. However, this group accounts for less than 10% of semiconductor R&D and design personnel.

Godongjin, a member of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

As someone from the business sector, do you sometimes feel that politics is holding back the economy?

Rather than holding it back, I think politics inevitably lags in responding to the rapidly rising market demands triggered by artificial intelligence (AI). The ruling and opposition parties may have different positions, and the opposition also has to consider the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. I understand that, but for the sake of youth and the country's future, in the case of semiconductors, it would be better to quickly remove the sandbags tied to the ankles. Semiconductors have long been called the rice of industry, but in the AI era, semiconductors can be not only rice but also the meal itself.

You spent a long time in business. What do you think is the difference between businesspeople and politicians?

Size may differ, but fundamentally, their pursuits are not very different. Businesspeople run looking at customers, and politicians run looking at the people. Businesspeople conclude with sales and profits, but politics concludes with quality of life and the happiness index of the people. When I was at Samsung, I remember encouraging juniors who worked overtime and struggled by saying, "Even if it’s hard, let’s endure a bit. We are not working just for Samsung, but for the South Korean economy."

What has been the biggest change in yourself since becoming a lawmaker?

It was a bit difficult and unsettling. I wanted to start with the mindset of a new employee to actively care for the future of youth, strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises and the software industry, and support socially vulnerable and marginalized groups, but the keyword "service" did not work. So, the keyword I barely found was "devotion." I realized I had to give more of myself. After discovering the keyword devotion, I felt more at ease living here (in the National Assembly).