[Yoon Seok-yeol Elected] Labor Policy Reform... Revising the 52-Hour Workweek and Serious Accident Punishment Act

Major Changes Expected in Labor Policy... Deregulation as Key
Flexible Working Hours, Job and Performance-Based Wage Reform
Minimum Wage Controversies and Revisions to Serious Accident Punishment Act

President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is holding a victory greeting press conference on the morning of the 10th at the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

It is expected that labor policies will also undergo revisions when Yoon Seok-yeol, the elected candidate of the People Power Party, assumes the presidency. Since Yoon has pledged to reform rigid corporate and labor regulations, he is likely to actively pursue measures such as flexibilizing working hour regulations and establishing a wage system centered on job roles and performance. Additionally, while taking a firm stance against militant labor unions, he is expected to revise policies that have faced strong opposition from businesses, including the minimum wage system and the "Serious Accident Punishment Act" (Jungdaejaecheohwalbeop).

According to industry sources on the 10th, one of the most anticipated areas of the next government's labor policy is the 52-hour workweek system. During the election campaign, Yoon promised to improve the 52-hour workweek, a flagship policy of the Moon Jae-in administration, arguing that it restricts corporate activities. He plans to include startups and other sectors requiring significant initial labor hours in the extended working hours exception category and expand the calculation period for working hours from the current 1-3 months to up to one year. This change would allow companies to operate more flexible work schedules by only needing to comply with the 52-hour limit on an annual average basis.

The minimum wage system is also likely to be reformed. Yoon has repeatedly advocated for flexible application of the minimum wage, stating, "Should people who are willing to work for 1.5 million won not be allowed to work?" There is mention of increasing flexibility by differentiating minimum wages by region and industry.

Regarding the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which has recently become a key issue in the industrial sector, it is expected to be difficult to expand its application to workplaces with fewer than five employees. As a former Prosecutor General, Yoon has pointed out that the detention requirements under the Serious Accident Punishment Act are somewhat ambiguous, suggesting the possibility of future institutional improvements.

The next government plans to take a strict stance against illegal activities such as unauthorized workplace occupations and violence by militant labor unions. There are concerns that this may lead to conflicts with the labor sector. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minju Nochong) commented on the same day, stating, "The ignorant remarks about labor and hatred toward labor unions that erupted from the elected candidate's mouth during the election period, described as 'reckless and nonsensical talk,' foretell that from today onward, the lives of workers and the public will become even more difficult and harsh, which is utterly disheartening."

Furthermore, Yoon is expected to significantly guarantee corporate autonomy by improving the wage system to focus on job roles and performance. The plan is to reform the seniority-based wage system, where middle managers earn more than the younger generation who work harder.

The labor director system, which will be introduced in public institutions starting July, will proceed as planned, but the expansion to private companies, which is strongly demanded by the labor sector, is likely to be blocked. Other initiatives include expanding time-selective regular jobs, strengthening the mediation function of labor commissions, and promoting flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting, mobile work, and telework.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.