Choi Sang-mok: "Extension of Special Overtime Work Approval Period from 3 Months to 6 Months"

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, announced on the 12th that considering the characteristics of the semiconductor industry, which requires long-term research and development (R&D), a special extension work permit system will be newly established to expand the period from 3 months to 6 months.

Yonhap News

Acting President Choi presided over the Government Seoul Office meeting on national agenda-related ministers, economic ministers, and industrial competitiveness enhancement ministers in the morning, stating, "To stay ahead in the fierce technological competition in the semiconductor industry, it is essential to create an environment where core personnel can freely conduct research."

This measure is intended to supplement the ongoing disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties over the exemption clause for the 52-hour workweek in the Semiconductor Special Act.

Acting President Choi said, "The special working hours regulation should be included in the Semiconductor Special Act, but the differences between the ruling and opposition parties have yet to be resolved. Therefore, the government will supplement the special extension work permit system so that companies can use working hours more flexibly when necessary."

Currently, the special extension work permit allows a maximum of 3 months per approval, with up to 64 hours of work per week. Going forward, if the approval period is extended to a maximum of 6 months per approval, the first 3 months will allow up to 64 hours per week, and the additional 3 months will allow up to 60 hours per week. Acting President Choi added, "We will ease the burden of reapplying for special extension work permits and strengthen measures to protect workers' health rights, such as mandatory health checkups."

Furthermore, Acting President Choi stated, "Next year, we will open a new horizon called the 'Government R&D 30 trillion won era' to spread the enthusiasm for research and development. In particular, we will focus more on the three major game-changer fields of AI, bio, and quantum, as well as national strategic fields such as semiconductors, next-generation communications, and mobility."

He continued, "We will also innovate government R&D projects by utilizing AI. We plan to develop AI models for eight high-difficulty research fields including new drugs and new materials, and use AI for developing safety technologies for disaster and crime prevention."

Regarding the increase of 136,000 employed persons in February but the decrease in employment in construction and manufacturing sectors, Acting President Choi said, "Employment difficulties continue due to delayed domestic demand recovery, such as the continuous decrease in employment in construction and retail sectors. Through the first quarter livelihood and economic response plan, we will make every effort to recover the domestic economy and support exports, as well as improve job conditions."

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