Third Policy Debate Topic Announced... Scheduled for February
"Exemption from 52-Hour Workweek" Expected to Be a Key Issue
Semiconductor Industry and Labor Representatives to Participate
The Democratic Party of Korea will hold a policy debate in early February on the topic of the "white collar exemption"-a system exempting certain workers from working hour regulations-which is being discussed as part of measures to promote the semiconductor industry. The policy debate is a forum that has become an internal decision-making structure within the Democratic Party since the launch of the "Lee Jaemyung 2.0" leadership last year. Following discussions on the Financial Investment Income Tax and amendments to the Commercial Act, this will be the third such debate, reportedly convened at the direct instruction of party leader Lee Jaemyung.
Kim Wonui, secretary of the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, announced the schedule for the white collar exemption debate during the seminar titled "Listening to the Concerns of Key Export Companies in the Trump 2.0 Era: Semiconductor Industry," held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 13th. Reporting on the progress of the so-called "Special Act on Semiconductors," Kim explained, "We have reached an agreement that the state will support all or part of the costs for power and power grid infrastructure, water supply and wastewater treatment facilities, and road installation for the semiconductor industry." He also noted that there are differences of opinion regarding the white collar exemption.
On the afternoon of the 13th, participants are taking a commemorative photo at the seminar titled "Listening to the Concerns of Key Export Companies in the Trump 2.0 Era: Semiconductor Industry" held at the National Assembly. Photo by Oh Jieun
Previously, the National Assembly has been debating whether to include a white collar exemption provision in the Special Act on Semiconductors. The People Power Party and some Democratic Party lawmakers on the industry committee argue that high-income semiconductor research and development (R&D) professionals should be excluded from the 52-hour workweek regulation. On the other hand, most Democratic Party lawmakers on the Environment and Labor Committee, who represent labor interests, believe that the Labor Standards Act should not be circumvented through special legislation.
Kim stated, "In early February, our party's policy committee will hold a debate on the white collar exemption," adding, "When I personally called Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, they expressed their willingness to actively participate." He went on to say that the Environment and Labor Committee would invite representatives from labor unions and research worker unions, who oppose the introduction of the system. Two speakers from each side-both for and against-are expected to participate in the debate.
Meanwhile, the seminar held that day was the first in a series of "Trade and Industrial Policy Listening Seminars in the Trump 2.0 Era." Both government and industry representatives attended, along with about ten Democratic Party lawmakers. Panelists included Lee Anjae, Vice President of Samsung Global Research, Ahn Gihyun, Executive Director of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, Jung Hyungkon, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, and Yoon Sunghyuk, Director General for Advanced Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The Democratic Party plans to hold the second, third, and fourth seminars targeting the secondary battery, automobile, and small and medium-sized enterprises sectors, respectively. On February 5, the fifth seminar will be a comprehensive discussion chaired by Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung.
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