As China’s “996” work culture spreads globally, South Korea’s rigid labor laws meet resistance from tech founders pushing to compete on a global stage
A Global Innovation Race, But Time Is Limited
In the global race for leadership in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing, innovation speed is everything. And while nations like China fuel their tech booms with grueling work cultures like the infamous 996 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week), South Korea finds itself at a crossroads.
Since January 2025, South Korea’s 52-hour workweek cap applies to all businesses. Meant to protect workers, it now faces scrutiny from deep tech startups and investors who argue the policy may limit their global competitiveness.
The Core Conflict: Innovation vs. Regulation
While South Korean law caps the workweek at 40 hours + 12 hours overtime, deep tech firms say that strict weekly limits don’t align with the irregular and intense nature of R&D workflows.
“When an idea strikes or a breakthrough happens, time disappears. Being forced to stop at 52 hours kills momentum,”
— Bohyung Kim, CTO, LeMong
Kim and others argue that creativity and technical breakthroughs often occur during intense bursts of work that simply don’t fit within a rigid weekly schedule. In sectors like AI and quantum computing, burning the midnight oil isn’t toxic hustle — it’s sometimes necessary.
Work Culture is Evolving, But Slowly
Recent surveys suggest a nuanced reality:
- 70.4% of startup employees said they’d voluntarily work beyond 52 hours if compensated properly.
- Some companies have limited exemptions, allowing up to 64 hours/week with consent and government approval — but few have used them.
CTO Kim notes that not all roles are the same:
- Manufacturing roles benefit from strict limits due to safety concerns.
- R&D teams, however, need autonomy and flexibility.
“High performers don’t chase overtime — they chase results,” Kim said.
Founders Call for Flexibility
Huiyong Lee, co-founder of LeMong, proposes a monthly average system, where:
- Teams work 60-hour weeks before a product launch,
- Then dial down to 40 hours after,
- Maintaining a legal average of 52 hours.
“Averaging hours monthly would allow startups to stay competitive and meet critical milestones,” said Lee.
“There should also be different standards for R&D-heavy or small-scale companies.”
VCs and Investors Weigh In
Yongkwan Lee, CEO of Bluepoint Partners, says the 52-hour cap influences investment decisions in globally competitive sectors.
- Semiconductor, AI, and quantum startups often need extreme focus to hit business milestones.
- Limits may slow progress, making Korean startups less attractive than their U.S. or Chinese counterparts.
But not all investors are alarmed.
A Seoul-based VC noted that many firms don’t enforce time tracking, and compliance is rarely checked unless a complaint is filed.
“Most deep tech teams are highly motivated and self-managing,” the investor said.
“The real labor pressure is on low-wage, labor-heavy sectors like logistics or manufacturing.”
Global Snapshot: Where Korea Fits
Compared internationally, South Korea’s 52-hour cap is middle of the road:
| Country | Standard Workweek | Max Overtime | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 40 hrs | 72 hrs (unofficial “996” common) | Up to 300% pay on holidays |
| Japan | 40 hrs | 45 hrs/month (370/yr) | Strict penalties for overages |
| Singapore | 44 hrs | 72 hrs/month | Max ~62 hrs/week with OT |
| U.S. | 40 hrs | No limit (OT paid) | Fewer legal barriers to long hours |
| France/Germany/U.K. | 33–48 hrs | Strict limits | Strong labor protections |
| South Korea | 40 hrs + 12 OT | 52 hrs/week (up to 64 with approval) | Middle ground, but under pressure |
While Korea’s policies offer worker protections, critics say they lack the agility needed for modern, high-performance tech environments.
The Bigger Question: Who Defines “Work”?
For deep tech teams, not all work is measurable by hours. Engineering, problem-solving, and creative breakthroughs happen in asynchronous, flow-state bursts.
CTO Kim summed it up well:
“In tech, time worked doesn’t equal value created. What matters is output, not the clock.”
With AI talent in global demand, Korea’s policies may need to evolve — not abandon protections, but recognize the difference between factory shifts and frontier innovation.
