Lee Jun-seok "Samsung Semiconductor Decline Due to '52-Hour Workweek'? ... Excuse for Management Failure"

"Advancing Under the Same Labor Conditions as SK Hynix"
"Making the Right Managerial Decisions Should Be the Top Priority"

Lee Jun-seok, a lawmaker from the Reform New Party, stated on the 3rd that regarding the claim by some in the political sphere that the recent decline in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor competitiveness is due to the '52-hour workweek for semiconductor R&D positions,' "Personally, this could be one cause, but I don't think it's the whole story."

On the same day, Lee appeared on KBS Radio and said, "SK Hynix, as a domestic company, is subject to the same (52-hour workweek) labor regulations, but it is actually advancing in the technology sector," expressing this view.

He added, "It is not logically consistent to think that Samsung Electronics will suddenly regain its former competitiveness just by resolving the 52-hour issue," and "Samsung Electronics should first make the right managerial decisions as a representative company of South Korea."

Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, raises both hands toward the People Power Party members during the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He further argued, "Relaxing the 52-hour regulation does not automatically revive the company; rather, it is tantamount to defending the recent managerial failures of the company's executives."

Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties showed differing opinions on whether to include a clause in the Semiconductor Special Act that exempts high-income semiconductor R&D workers from the 52-hour workweek. The Democratic Party is advocating for designating the Semiconductor Special Act, excluding this clause, as a fast-track bill.