As China’s 996 culture spreads, South Korea’s tech sector grapples with 52-hour limit

The article discusses the tension between South Korea’s legally mandated 52-hour workweek limit and the demanding work culture spreading from China’s “996” system (9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) within the global deep tech sector. While South Korea enforces a 40-hour standard workweek with strict overtime regulations and penalties for violations, it has introduced special extended work programs allowing up to 64 hours weekly with worker consent and government approval, particularly for deep tech industries like semiconductors. However, these exemptions are limited and expected to be scaled back, reflecting the government’s intent to tighten working-hour regulations despite some political debate. Tech investors and founders in South Korea express concerns that the 52-hour limit poses challenges for innovation-driven sectors requiring intense focus and long hours during critical phases. Yongkwan Lee, CEO of a venture capital firm, notes that strict work-hour caps could slow progress toward key milestones in highly competitive fields such as AI and quantum computing. Surveys indicate many startup