□ More than half of the Korean public(55.8%) think that “Korean workers tend to work a lot,”
while just 6.6% believe that they “tend to work less.”
ㅇ Three times more workers stated they would rather “enjoy leisure time after leaving work
on time at 6:00 PM” than the 23.5% of respondents who preferred “earning more through overtime.”
ㅇ More than three fourths(77.8%) said the implementation of the 52 work-hour week was a good thing,
while 15.7% disagreed.
ㅇ On December 28, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the results of the National Survey
on Opinions toward the 52-Hour Work Week, which was commissioned to an external professional agency.
□ Minister An stressed, “The results of the survey show that the Korean people have a positive view
of the 52-Hour Work Week.”
ㅇ The National Assembly has put institutions in place to improve the situation,
and this system has taken root thanks to administrative and fiscal support and
cooperation between management and labor in work places.”
ㅇ “However, some companies may still face difficulties. Moving forward, the government will continue to
provide administrative and fiscal support including consulting services.”
□ The 52-Hour Work Week system was introduced to the National Assembly with bipartisan support
after long-running social discussions. The system is aimed at improving working hours in Korea, which rank highest
among OECD countries, while helping restore the rights of people to enjoy good health and
ultimately strike an appropriate work-life balance.
ㅇ The system has been rolled out in stages across companies of different sizes from July 2018,
and expanded to all companies with more than five employees from July 2021.
□ The Ministry of Employment and Labor conducted this survey to take a look at the public’s overall
perceptions of the system five months after its implementation, and refer to the survey for future policies.
Perceptions of work-life balance
□ 55.8% of the Korean public think “Korean workers tend to work a lot.”
ㅇ This view was more pronounced in men(52.7%) and young people than in women(58.8%) and seniors.
ㅇ The reasons cited for working a lot were “Because of the volume of work”(46.4%),
“To earn an appropriate income”(27.8%), “Because of inefficient work processes”(20.1%),
while merely 3.6% responded “For self-fulfillment and satisfaction.”
□ 65.6% viewed “work” and “personal and family life” as “both important”
and a larger percentage(29.4%) considered “personal and family life” more important than “work”(4.7%).
ㅇ Moreover, more respondents(70.3%) said they would rather “enjoy leisure time
after leaving work on time” than “earning more through overtime”(28.7%).
- This was more pronounced in women(79%) and young people than in men(61.6%) and seniors.
ㅇ In particular, 76.1% of wage workers agreed with this sentiment, while 23.5% said otherwise.
Perceptions of shorter work hours
□ More than 90% of the public(90.8%) were aware of the 52 Work-Hour System
to improve Korea’s long working hours.
ㅇ 71% of them said this system was “a good thing,” while 19.3% viewed it as “not a good thing.” Notably,
the figures were 77.8% versus 15.7% among wage workers.
□ When asked if their current workplace was complying with the system, 88% said “strictly complying” or
“complying in some degree,” while 10.8% said otherwise, showing that most workplaces are sticking to the
52 Work-Hour System.
□ 55.9% reported “Little difference in quality of life,” while the proportion of respondents
who said “Better”(33.2%) was higher than “Worse”(8.3%).
ㅇ In terms of leisure time, “Almost no change”(64.4%) was the most common response,
followed by “More”(31.2%) and “Less”(3.6%). Among those who answered “More,”
most were spending more leisure time “with family”(48.1%) or “on health/rest”(24.4%).
ㅇ When it comes to change in salary, “Almost no difference”(74.1%) was the most common answer,
followed by “Decreased”(20.4%) and “Increased”(3.1%).
ㅇ However, among those who answered “Decreased,” more(61.7%) said they would rather
“enjoy leisure time after leaving work on time” than “earn more through overtime”(37%).
□ If this system gains more widespread acceptance, more respondents said “things will be better”(41.8%)
than “worse”(7.4%).
□ In terms of what is necessary to help the system become more concretely established,
“Companies’ willingness to comply”(25.4%) was the most common answer, followed by
“Changes in social perceptions”(18.1%), “Support policies from the government”(17.8%),
“Expanding the range of exceptions to the system”(17.4%) and “Stronger government supervision
and oversight”(13.9%).