Emphasizes the Need for an Exemption to the 52-Hour Workweek Rule
Calls for Government Support and Ruling Party Unity
Former President Lee Myung-bak stated on the 27th, "When a new industry is just emerging, there is no time limit. Even if you take time to rest, when it's time to work, you have to work through the night." This is interpreted as a call to include an exemption clause for the 52-hour workweek in the Semiconductor Special Act.
On the 27th, at the Lee Myung-bak Foundation in Seocho-gu, Seoul, during a meeting with Kwon Young-se, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Lee said, "In the battle of advanced semiconductors (competition between countries), semiconductor business cannot be done by a single company alone. Our semiconductor companies have reached their limits. Also, when the era of artificial intelligence (AI) comes, new government support measures must be in place."
In response, Chairman Kwon said, "Even Samsung Electronics is facing difficulties in the semiconductor market, so we are discussing lifting the 52-hour workweek restriction at least for those working in research and development (R&D)." He added, "Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, openly said he would oppose it because of the labor unions. He said he could not support it against the opinions of the unions, which are their support base. Hearing that was shocking."
Former President Lee recounted an anecdote from his presidency when Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, visited Korea. He said, "I asked if they work on Saturdays in the U.S., and they said that in new industries, even if they rest sometimes, they work without time restrictions." He emphasized, "New industries are unavoidable. When the AI era comes, there will be even more work."
When Chairman Kwon mentioned, "Our country's labor unions are captive to militant unions," Lee responded, "The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is truly worrisome. That is why at this critical moment, both ruling and opposition parties must unite." He added, "The U.S. has entered the second term of the Trump era, and we must respond well."
Regarding the People Power Party and the political situation, Lee said, "It seems to be the most difficult time since the conservative party was established," emphasizing unity by saying, "We must unite. Even if we are a minority in the ruling party, if we unite, we can accomplish anything."
He continued, "(The ruling and opposition parties) should unite and work hard as the government is in full swing, but now that President Yoon's term is halfway through, policies should be on track. The recent impeachment turmoil is a huge loss for the country." He expressed concern, saying, "Yesterday, I met with small and medium-sized business owners. It was an official meeting with the heads of the Small and Medium Business Association and regional chairpersons nationwide, and they all said they are 'deeply worried.'"
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