Ruling and Opposition Parties in Final Negotiation on Semiconductor Special Act... Agreement Reached on Over 110 Livelihood Bills

Ruling Party: "Exceptions to the 52-Hour Workweek Must Be Included"
Opposition: "Willing to Improve Labor Standards Act"
Agreements Reached on AI Basic Act and Depositor Protection Act

The People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea are in final negotiations over the exception clause to the 52-hour workweek in the Semiconductor Special Act. The People Power Party insists that the clause should be included in the Semiconductor Special Act, while the Democratic Party is considering a government-led improvement of the existing 52-hour workweek exception clause under the Labor Standards Act.

Ruling and opposition party policy chiefs moving for a working-level meeting of the ruling-opposition council. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 24th, the policy chiefs of both parties held a working-level meeting at the National Assembly for the ruling-opposition-government policy consultation body to discuss the Semiconductor Special Act and other livelihood-related bills. After the meeting, Kim Sang-hoon, the policy chief of the People Power Party, told reporters that when asked if there was an agreement on the Semiconductor Special Act, "We are reaching an agreement."

According to a key official of the People Power Party, the Democratic Party is fundamentally opposed to the establishment of a new 52-hour workweek clause. However, they are open to agreeing on improving the existing 52-hour workweek exception provisions under the Labor Standards Act rather than creating a new clause if necessary.

The People Power Party has argued that the exception provisions under the Labor Standards Act for the 52-hour workweek are cumbersome to apply properly. The ruling party is expected to make a final push, led by Policy Chief Kim and members of the Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, to include the 52-hour workweek exception clause in the Semiconductor Special Act.

The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to process over 110 livelihood-related bills at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 26th. Jin Sung-jun, the policy chief of the Democratic Party, explained, "Policy Chief Kim and I agreed that, if possible, both parties should work hard on legislation related to common livelihood pledges. Although there have been delays, we reviewed the current situation where many bills need to be processed by the end of the year. We agreed to handle as many bills without disputes or disagreements as possible until the end."

Accordingly, the ruling and opposition parties plan to jointly process over 110 livelihood bills, including the AI Basic Act and the Depositor Protection Act, at the National Assembly plenary session on the 26th. Discussions are also expected to continue regarding livelihood bills to be processed at the plenary session scheduled for the 31st.

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