Ministry of Labor: "66% of SK Semiconductor Construction Workers Exceeded 52-Hour Workweek"... Kim Younghoon Warns of Overwork Deaths

Labor Inspection Results Announced for Four Subcontractors
Unpaid Wages and Allowances Totaling 37 Million Won, Including Holiday Work Allowances

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has uncovered regular violations of the 52-hour workweek at a semiconductor production facility construction site in Yongin, and has issued corrective orders to the subcontractors involved, as well as launching additional labor inspections.

On January 22, the Ministry announced the results of its labor inspection of four subcontractors at the Yongin semiconductor production facility construction site (main contractor: SK Ecoplant). This site was where a construction worker, Mr. Park, passed away from acute myocardial infarction in November of last year. To determine whether excessive working hours were a factor, the Ministry conducted labor inspections on four subcontractors, including the one Mr. Park belonged to, from December 8 to December 31, 2025.

The inspection found that out of 1,248 workers dispatched by the four subcontractors, 827 workers, or 66.3%, exceeded the weekly overtime limit of 12 hours. By company, 128 out of 173 workers (74%) at Company A, 28 out of 115 workers (24.3%) at Company B, 369 out of 447 workers (82.6%) at Company C, and 302 out of 513 workers (58.6%) at Company D violated the overtime limit.

Additionally, it was discovered that wages and allowances totaling 37 million won, including holiday work allowances, had not been paid. On January 15, the Ministry issued corrective orders to the subcontractors in question, requiring them to submit plans to improve working hours by January 28 regarding the overtime violations. Attendance records and other data to verify whether actual working hours have improved must be submitted by May 8. If improvements are not made, the Ministry plans to take immediate legal action.

Separately, due to the additional fatal accident involving another worker, Mr. Bae, from the same subcontractor in January of this year, the Ministry has decided to conduct further labor inspections at all sites operated by the subcontractor from today until February 13. The Ministry stated that strict action will be taken if any violations are found.

With the onset of winter, site management will also be strengthened to prevent industrial accidents among construction workers and to improve working conditions. Administrative guidance, including suspension of nighttime and overnight work, will be implemented until vascular health screenings for all workers at the SK Ecoplant site are completed by January 31.

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon stated, "While construction site fatalities are mainly due to insufficient safety measures, at this Yongin semiconductor production facility construction site, there is concern about worker deaths from overwork due to chronic long working hours," emphasizing, "The 52-hour workweek is the minimum labor condition that must be observed to protect workers' safety and health."