Working life in Korea has long been known for its intensity and long hours, but in recent years, the country has been taking serious steps toward a more balanced and employee-friendly environment. To understand this transformation, let’s look at three perspectives — the legal foundation, the reality of everyday work, and the direction of change now shaping Korea’s future.

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1. The Legal Framework — What the Law Says

Working hours and rest requirementsUnder Korea’s Labor Standards Act (근로기준법).
The general rule is that the standard working hours shall not exceed 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day. Employers may request extended (overtime) work only with the employee’s consent, and even then, the total working time must not exceed 52 hours per week — that is, the basic 40 hours plus up to 12 hours of overtime.

Importantly, any overtime work must be compensated with at least 50% additional pay compared to the normal hourly wage. Additional pay also applies to night work and holiday work, and if such work overlaps with overtime, extra premiums may apply under Korean law. This reflects the legal intent to ensure fair and proportionate compensation while safeguarding employees’ health and rest.

(Reference: Labor Standards Act(근로기준법)(KOR-ENG)

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2. The Reality — Long Hours Still Common in Practice

Despite this clear legal standard, Korea still ranks among OECD countries with relatively long working hours. The cultural legacy of diligence, company loyalty, and hierarchical office norms has kept workdays long in many sectors.

That said, large corporations such as Samsung, Hyundai, and SK Group have recently implemented stricter internal systems to comply with the 52-hour rule, introducing digital attendance tracking and mandatory rest policies. However, smaller companies and the F&B (food and beverage) industry often struggle to follow these limits due to tight staffing and economic pressure.

One tragic example of this imbalance surrfaced in July 2025 when a young employee in his 20s at London Bagel Museum, a popular café brand, reportedly died from overwork. The incident reignited nationwide discussions about enforcing working-hour laws more evenly acoss industries.
(Related article – London Bagel Museum employee dies after working 80 hours a week – The Korea Times)

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3. The Shift — Toward Shorter and Smarter Work

Encouragingly, discussions around reducing working hours continue to grow. Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has recently shown support for pilot programs testing a “4.5-day workweek”, emphasizing flexibility, employee well-being, and productivity. Several public institutions and tech companies are experimenting with this schedule, aiming to improve work–life balance and attract younger talent.

If these trends continue, Korea’s work culture could soon look very different — less about endurance, more about efficiency and creativity.
The journey from “working long” to “working smart” is underway, and the momentum toward a more employee-friendly future feels stronger than ever.

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