Politics · South Korea · 10 hrs ago
South Korea’s Lee urges review of existing rules for semiconductor work-hour exception
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung asked officials to review work-hour rules for semiconductor workers at a meeting in Seoul on October 23.
The semiconductor industry wants an exception to the country’s 52-hour weekly work limit for research and development staff.
Lee said officials should consider changing existing rules or simplifying approval procedures rather than creating a new special law.
He said any extra work must be paid for, calling an arrangement without compensation a step backward.
Ruling-party lawmakers have proposed bills both with and without the exception, while labor groups oppose it and have urged the party to withdraw it.
Officials are to discuss how existing rules could be used, but no decision on the exception was announced.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged officials to consider changing existing rules or simplifying procedures for a semiconductor work-hour exception.
Lee said any arrangement must compensate workers for additional hours and warned against creating an exception that does not.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee on Oct. 23.
The semiconductor industry has called for an exception to the 52-hour weekly work limit for research and development staff, while labor groups oppose it.
South Korea’s Industry Ministry also announced a fast-track plan to shorten the time needed to build large semiconductor industrial complexes.
- Who
- President Lee Jae-myung directed officials to discuss the issue. The semiconductor industry and labor groups are the opposing stakeholders.
- What
- Lee called for a review of existing rules or simpler procedures for a semiconductor work-hour exception.
- When
- Oct. 23, 2026.
- Where
- At a Regulatory Rationalization Committee meeting at the Blue House in Seoul.
- Why
- The semiconductor industry has sought a work-hour exception for research and development staff; Lee proposed considering existing rules and procedures instead.
Semiconductor industry
Labor groups
Work-hour rules
Semiconductor industry
The industry has called for an exception to the 52-hour weekly limit for semiconductor research and development staff.
Labor groups
Labor groups oppose introducing a work-hour exception.
Legislation
Semiconductor industry
The industry has sought a special provision, while Lee said officials should consider adjusting existing rules or procedures.
Labor groups
Labor groups have urged the Democratic Party to withdraw bills containing a work-hour exception.
The Democratic Party introduced two bills, one including a work-hour exception and one excluding it; labor groups called for the relevant bill to be withdrawn.
At a Regulatory Rationalization Committee meeting, Lee urged officials to consider amending existing rules or simplifying procedures for the semiconductor work-hour issue.
The Industry Ministry announced a fast-track plan intended to cut the time to build semiconductor industrial complexes from more than 10 years to within five years.
- Weekly limit
- 52 hours
- Meeting date
- Oct. 23, 2026
- Proposed exception
- Semiconductor research and development staff
- Industrial complex timeline
- From more than 10 years to within five years
- Fast-track locations
- Yongin and Honam
4 sources
What people are saying
The premise must not be to create a special law and plan not to compensate for additional work. That would truly be a step backward.
Discuss in depth whether there is a way to amend the enforcement decree of the existing system or make the procedures easier.