This is how many hours South Koreans work on average per year – around 140 hours more than the OECD average.

This is how many hours South Koreans work on average per year – around 140 hours more than the OECD average.

💼 State-backed 4.5-day workweek: Companies with up to 50 employees receive up to USD 410 per worker per quarter plus USD 545 for each new hire. Firms with 50–300 employees can receive subsidies for up to 100 workers, if they reduce working hours.

⏰ Work culture under pressure: Despite the 52-hour weekly cap, Korea still ranks among the longest-working countries in the industrialized world. 78% of employees want shorter hours, while employers warn of productivity losses.

Watch: This is a real economic stress test. If Korea manages to cut working hours without sacrificing prosperity, a four-day week becomes realistic. If it fails, the model risks becoming an expensive prestige project.