[Reporter’s Notebook] "Told to Run with Shackles On"... Yang Hyangja’s Bitter Words

'52-Hour Workweek Exception' Scrapped... National Support Remains Distant
Yang Hyangja: "Political Misunderstanding Weakens Industrial Competitiveness"

After the exception clause for the 52-hour workweek under the Semiconductor Special Act (White Collar Exemption) failed to reach bipartisan agreement and was scrapped, former Reform Party lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja received a call in an agitated voice. Yang, a 'semiconductor expert' and former Samsung Electronics executive, strongly criticized the political sphere with a tone mixed with disappointment and anger, saying that politics once again ignored the realities of the industry. She pointed out that while leading semiconductor countries provide flexible working environments for R&D personnel, South Korea is losing competitiveness due to rigid regulations.

She expressed frustration again, saying that the political world mistakenly views semiconductor R&D as simple labor. Leading semiconductor countries are eager to attract R&D talent. Whether Taiwan or Japan, they go wherever the talent is. Instead of making them work excessively, they generously compensate them. However, South Korea hopes to attract talent but tells them not to work too much. Yang said, "This anachronistic notion is holding back not only semiconductors but also the entire future growth industries such as bio and space industries."

Yang, who was known as someone who understood the semiconductor field better than anyone while being involved in politics, was the first female high school graduate executive at Samsung Electronics and gained experience at the forefront of the semiconductor industry. She was responsible for semiconductor technology development at Samsung Electronics for nearly 30 years and grew into a core expert in semiconductor processes and production. She researched day and night for technological innovation and productivity improvement and directly experienced that flexible working environments and strong policy support are essential for South Korea to lead the global semiconductor market. After entering politics, she has focused on proposing alternatives such as the 'K-Chips Act' while emphasizing policy support to strengthen industrial competitiveness.

The political sphere has become difficult to avoid criticism for failing to properly reflect the voices of the industry during the discussion of the Semiconductor Special Act. The failure of the '52-hour workweek exception' is not just a simple labor policy issue. It is a critical decision that will determine the future of the Korean economy.

Semiconductor companies in Taiwan and China, our competitors, are rapidly growing with 'national support.' Governments are stepping up to fully back their companies. The performance of these companies is noticeably changing. South Korea is not just standing still, but it is also not running smoothly. Even Samsung Electronics, representing Korea, is facing a crisis.

The political sphere says it will undertake regulatory reforms and prepare practical support measures. However, the problem is that it remains only slogans. Companies need strategic changes to survive in the global market. Semiconductors are a core sector that determines the future of the Republic of Korea's economy. Shackling both feet and then asking 'why can't you run?' is blocking the future of Korean semiconductors.