Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, has unveiled a sweeping set of labor policy proposals. (Image courtesy of the National Assembly Photojournalists’ Association)
SEOUL, May 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, has unveiled a sweeping set of labor policy proposals, vowing to support companies that adopt a 4.5-day workweek and gradually shift the nation toward a four-day workweek system.
In a statement released via Facebook on April 30, Lee committed to reducing South Korea’s average working hours to below the OECD average by 2030. “We will implement strong support measures for companies that adopt a 4.5-day week, and ultimately aim for a four-day workweek,” he said.
Citing the urgent need to combat overwork-related deaths, Lee proposed legal caps on daily working hours and the introduction of mandatory minimum rest periods. He also pledged to pass legislation requiring the government to establish proactive measures to prevent deaths from overwork.
He promised to dismantle the controversial “comprehensive (Inclusive) wage system,” which critics say allows for unpaid overtime, and to ensure no deterioration of existing labor conditions during its reform. Under the proposal, employers would be mandated to record and manage employees’ actual working hours.
Democratic Party presidential contender pledges transition to four-day week, legal limits on overtime, and protections for vacation rights. (Image created by ChatGPT)
Lee also laid out plans to reform vacation policies, aiming to raise annual leave utilization rates to match those of advanced economies. Unused vacation days would be banked for up to three years under a new leave savings program. He vowed to ban any employer retaliation against workers who take time off.
As part of what he dubbed the “Three-Part Vacation Support Package,” Lee proposed government subsidies for vacation expenses, a new regional tourism benefit program for pre-booked domestic travel, and a “short-trip” initiative to encourage 1-2 day holidays.
“Our society has achieved remarkable progress through industrialization and democratization,” Lee said. “Now is the time to focus on improving the quality of life for every citizen.”
He stressed that long hours no longer guarantee success in an era defined by artificial intelligence and creativity, arguing that rest and recharging are now essential for individual and national competitiveness.
In addition to labor reforms, Lee outlined a broader agenda to ease cost-of-living pressures for working South Koreans. His platform includes expanded support for housing, such as greater government subsidies for lease deposits and broader eligibility for monthly rent tax credits. He also proposed improvements to housing guarantee systems to prevent fraud.
Other measures under review include tax credits for communication expenses for families with minors or elderly parents, increased tax deductions for credit card spending based on the number of children, and expanded tax benefits for extracurricular education for elementary school students.
Lee also pledged to introduce new public transportation passes and reduce fare burdens related to transfers and distance-based pricing.
The policy proposals reflect a broader strategic push by the opposition ahead of the 2025 presidential election, positioning Lee as a candidate focused on work-life balance, social equity, and economic modernization
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
