Politics · South Korea · 6 hrs ago
South Korea minister urges action on proposed 52-hour workweek exception
South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan urged the government to act more urgently after a recent visit to China.
He said Chinese companies were improving faster than expected and that South Korea was now chasing them in some fields.
The proposed exception would let some advanced-industry researchers work beyond the 52-hour weekly limit.
It is part of a bill for special industrial zones, but its passage by the end of the year is uncertain.
Industry officials say more flexible hours are needed for global competitiveness, while labor groups oppose longer hours over concerns about workers’ health.
The minister said government rules should not make companies miss opportunities.
The bill faces opposition from labor groups and disagreement within the ruling party, with its passage still in doubt.
South Korea’s industry minister urged the government to act more urgently as a proposed exception to the 52-hour workweek for advanced-industry research staff faces delays.
Kim Jung-kwan said Chinese companies’ technology and competitiveness were improving faster than expected.
The proposed exception is part of a bill on special zones intended to support large-scale projects.
Industry groups and the industry ministry say flexible working hours for research staff are needed for global competitiveness.
Labor groups oppose the exception, citing long working hours and risks to workers’ health.
- Who
- South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan urged action. Industry groups and labor groups hold opposing views on the proposal.
- What
- Kim called for the government to be more urgent in addressing business concerns, including a proposed 52-hour workweek exception for some research staff.
- When
- He posted the message recently, after returning from a visit to China the previous week. The report was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea. Kim made the visit to China.
- Why
- The bill containing the proposed exception faces delays amid labor opposition and differences within the governing party. Kim said Chinese competitors were advancing quickly.
Industry ministry and industry groups
Labor groups
Aspect
Industry ministry and industry groups
Industry ministry and industry groups say flexible working hours for research staff are needed to secure global competitiveness.
Labor groups
Labor groups oppose the exception, citing long working hours and harm to workers’ health.
Aspect
Industry ministry and industry groups
The ministry says the exception would apply to a limited group of core research staff, around 3% of workers.
Labor groups
Labor groups oppose the proposed exception.
Kim Jung-kwan visited China.
Kim visited an industrial cooperation park and Hyundai Motor’s China research institute in Yantai, Shandong province.
Kim posted a Facebook message urging the government to be more urgent than businesses.
Yonhap reported that the bill containing the proposed workweek exception faced an uncertain path to passage within the year.
- Minister
- Kim Jung-kwan
- Proposed limit
- An exception to the 52-hour workweek
- Proposed beneficiaries
- Core research staff, around the top 3% of workers, according to an industry ministry official
- Bill
- The Special Act on Super-Regional Special Zones
- China visit
- Yantai, Shandong province; November 6, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
The technology and competitiveness of Chinese companies were improving faster than we had expected.
The government must be more desperate than businesses.
If businesses have to wait for years to remove a single regulation, how far ahead will companies in competing countries get in the meantime?
It is regrettable that labor groups and others are unconditionally portraying this as a corporate handout, blocking the bill itself, even though the exception is limited to core research staff at around the top 3%, not all workers.