Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division head, Jun Young-hyun, has advocated for extending work hours to maintain competitive advantage in the industry. Speaking at Samsung's annual shareholders meeting, Jun expressed concerns that South Korea's nationwide cap of 52 working hours per week is hindering the chip sector's progress. He emphasized that as the development of advanced chips becomes increasingly complex, the focus and flexibility of research and development personnel are crucial.
Implemented in 2018, South Korea's 52-hour workweek aims to improve work-life balance. However, political figures and government officials are currently debating whether to allow semiconductor R&D personnel to work longer hours under specific conditions.
