Lee Dong-hak: "Korea is a country with long working hours... The '52-hour workweek' established through social consensus must not be reversed"

Donghak Lee, Former Youth Supreme Committee Member of the Democratic Party
"Yoon Must Understand the People's Will... 'Regression of the 52-Hour Workweek'
Forcing Workers Back into Labor, Undermining the 'Life with Evenings'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol announced the appointment results of the Presidential Transition Committee chairman and vice chairman on the afternoon of the 13th at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul. President-elect Yoon stated, "Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, has been appointed as the chairman of the transition committee, and Kwon Young-se, a member of the People Power Party, has been appointed as the vice chairman." Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's announcement of 'flexibilization of the 52-hour workweek system,' Lee Dong-hak, former Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "If the '52-hour workweek system' regresses, it could lead to exploiting workers again," and added, "The 52-hour workweek system, which was passed after 'social consensus,' must not be reversed against the will of the people."

On the 14th, Lee Dong-hak, former Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party, said on Facebook, "In South Korea, one of the countries with long working hours, going back to the past is completely contrary to the trend of enhancing productivity through non-face-to-face work." He emphasized, "Through the reduction of working hours, which more than 70% of the people support, we have been able to partially start a life with evenings."

He said, "Working hours must not go backward," and added, "As the world's 10th largest economy and an OECD member country, South Korea has achieved rapid economic growth more than any other country, but behind that lies the untold sacrifices of workers." He also presented statistics showing that South Korea ranks first in industrial accident deaths and third in working hours among OECD countries.

Lee said, "Ultimately, under social consensus that this cannot continue as is, the 52-hour workweek law was passed to allow people to live decently, and although there are shortcomings, the Serious Accidents Punishment Act was enacted to ensure safe working conditions. However, there is a movement to reverse these."

He stated, "If there is a need to recognize exceptional situations, the already established discretionary work system, so-called flexible work system or selective working hours system, can be utilized," and added, "If dialogue and agreement between labor and management are achieved, adjustments can be made within the current system." He also said, "What President-elect Yoon said during his candidacy was a claim too detached from reality," and "I understand that from a pro-business, pro-chaebol stance, he could have said that while disregarding workers' positions."

Lee emphasized, "However, now that he has become president-elect, while pursuing his own views, he must carefully consider the will of the people and be able to face it without fear," and added, "He must keep in mind that breaking down the broad framework of the 52-hour workweek system is an audacity to turn back the working hours of South Korea."

With the implementation of the 52-hour workweek system, on the first working day, the 2nd, citizens near Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul are walking home after work. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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