Democrats: "Semiconductor Special Act to Temporarily Exclude 52-Hour Workweek... Fast-Track Consideration Underway"

Jin Seongjun Emphasizes Urgency in Handling the Issue
"No Disagreement Between Ruling and Opposition Parties... Cannot Be Delayed"

The Democratic Party of Korea has stated that it will first handle the issues within the Semiconductor Special Act on which both ruling and opposition parties agree, and separately discuss the contentious issue of the 52-hour workweek system. They also plan to consider utilizing the fast-track (expedited processing) system.

On the afternoon of the 6th, Jin Seong-jun, the Democratic Party Policy Committee Chair, said at a policy briefing held at the National Assembly, “The Semiconductor Special Act, which the People Power Party claims is urgent only in words, can no longer be delayed. Since there is no disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties on truly urgent and essential national support issues, these should be handled first.”

He added, “The issue of labor hours, which has significant disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties and between labor and management, can be discussed separately and handled once an agreement is reached.”

Jinseongjun, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a policy issue press briefing at the National Assembly on the 6th. 2025.2.6. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding the People Power Party’s stance that the exemption clause for the 52-hour workweek system should be processed together within the Semiconductor Special Act, he said, “The People Power Party’s position is becoming increasingly rigid, so if it is not possible to process it quickly, we should consider designating it as a fast-track under the National Assembly Act to ensure it can be handled within the deadline.”

The Democratic Party has begun coordinating its party stance in earnest. According to Chair Jin, Democratic Party members of the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, which oversees the Semiconductor Special Act, have no objections to prioritizing the processing of the Semiconductor Special Act excluding the contentious provisions. However, the Environment and Labor Committee holds the view that even without a special act, the current Labor Standards Act’s ‘working hours exemption system’ can sufficiently resolve the issue.

Chair Jin explained, “Party Leader Lee Jae-myung has instructed that discussions on this issue be held within the party,” and added, “The Democratic Party is currently discussing this mainly through the relevant standing committees and the Policy Coordination Committee.”

He continued, “Once the discussions within the Industry and Environment and Labor Committees and the Policy Coordination Committees are summarized, we will explore whether alternatives or compromises are possible through joint meetings, and if results are produced, we plan to hold a party caucus meeting to decide the party’s stance if necessary.”