South Korea’s finance ministry announced on Wednesday that it will extend the special approval period for semiconductor research and development (R&D) working hours from three months to six months to strengthen South Korea’s position in the global semiconductor race. The new policy will allow semiconductor firms to maintain 64-hour workweeks for the first three months, with a reduced limit of 60 hours for the remaining period. The reapproval process will be streamlined, and mandatory health checks will be introduced to protect workers’ welfare.

The decision comes after the broader Semiconductor Special Act, which sought to permanently lift work hour caps for semiconductor R&D, stalled last month after facing political opposition. By using the existing special approval system under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the government is bypassing legislative gridlock to give semiconductor firms more operational flexibility.