Netizens Furious Over South Korean Government Legalizing 21.5 Hours Working Days

The South Korean government recently made changes to the standards of overtime work, sending even international netizens into an enraged uproar against the new policy.

The opposition, the Democratic Party of Korea, has also severely criticized the government’s move, with spokesperson Park Hae Cheol issuing a written statement on January 23, KST. In brief, Park pointed out the irony of the government changing the administrative interpretation of overtime work, legalizing a work day as long as 21.5 hours for companies when they should have shortened working hours to allow a more humane lifestyle for Korean workers. “Who is this government for?” Park asked in his statement.

Park Hae Cheol | Labor Today

The Ministry of Employment and Labor changed the administrative interpretation of overtime work on January 22, following a Supreme Court ruling in December 2023, which stated that no amount of overtime work a day is illegal as long as the total working hours in a week don’t exceed 52 hours. Accordingly, calculations show that it is completely legal for companies to make their workers even 21.5 hours a day, as their total weekly hours stay within the 52-hour mark.

Lee Jung Sik, Minister of Employment and Labor of South Korea | Newsis

Spokesperson Park also added that the government is misleading the public against labor unions by implying that they are illegally announcing the results of planning and inspection related to the working hour exemption system and operating cost aid. According to Park, this move directly violates the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) conventions number 87 and 98, under which collective bargaining is a protected right. In addition, he pointed out that a 2018 Supreme Court decision had ruled the provisions of the Trade Union Act, which prohibit employers from providing support for operating expenses to labor unions, were unconstitutional.

While the Democratic Party has promised to supplement the legislation against the unfair policies of legalizing overwork, Benjamin Norton, a journalist from Geopolitical Economy Report, posted about the new interpretation of the labor law on his social media, sparking a huge backlash online against it globally.

South Korea changed labor law so companies can make employees work 21.5 hours per day.

That's not a typo: 21.5 hours.

It's not a coincidence that this South Korean administration is one of the most right-wing, anti-worker, pro-US, and anti-China governments in modern history. https://t.co/VkYRKZPQwc

— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) January 24, 2024

Many called out the irony of the South Korean government’s apparent concern about the declining birth rate in the country juxtaposed with such laws.

They insist they are also concerned about the low birth rate. https://t.co/zbNWx9lUjl

— akhivae (@akhivae) January 24, 2024

Isn't this the same country crying blood that okes aren't getting married and having families anymore? Hi? https://t.co/t7Jqen7fdo

— ???? (@SunBirdZAKH) January 24, 2024

At this rate SK would disappear in the near future and the DPRK can simply ride south to liberate it. https://t.co/BZYwDKMqmc

— A 林 (@lin_linvy) January 25, 2024

Don't be surprised when we start hearing about people dying or committing suicide because they have no social life outside of work. Also if they struggling with birth rates,now,it's about to get worse. https://t.co/xZ7DySMwQJ

— PunkPrincess (@SuperUkissBang) January 24, 2024

This is the type of shit they tell us North Korea does smh. https://t.co/RS8BbSrgYK

— Fade in Da Water (@Blike_Dante) January 24, 2024

One of my best friends literally tried to off himself multiple times before learning to code and getting a job for an American company https://t.co/29ViS8oAhP

— Big Government Globalist (@ElfParticles) January 24, 2024

South Korea traumatized me dawg. Thought hyper capitalism in America was spooky till they had my ass working a 20hr shift shooting a Samsung commercial and my manager couldn’t sit down in front of his boss in fear of getting reprimanded. https://t.co/gk5WcGIF7p

— IOF Casualty Celebrator (@hood_apparition) January 24, 2024

This is, however, not the first time the current government’s labor laws have come under major fire in South Korea. Read more about their proposed 69-hour work week here.