2026年的首尔：政府花80万求你休息，财阀却在逼你卖命

Group 1 - The South Korean government has implemented a "4.5-day workweek" to address low birth rates and encourage young people to re-engage with the workforce, offering financial incentives to companies that reduce working hours [2][4] - In Hanam City, civil servants benefit from this policy, allowing them to leave work early on Fridays, which challenges the traditional work culture in East Asia [4][11] - Conversely, executives in large corporations face increased pressure, often working under "emergency management modes" that require them to work on Saturdays, leading to a sense of "high-paid slavery" [5][7] Group 2 - Many young South Koreans are opting for "pure rest," with 590,000 choosing not to work, study, or seek employment in 2025, indicating a disconnect between government incentives and actual engagement [4][12] - There is a growing trend among middle management to avoid promotions due to the associated risks and loss of work-life balance, with some preferring to remain in stable positions that offer legal protections [10][11] - The situation in South Korea reflects broader trends in East Asia, where companies are shifting pressures upward, leading to a re-evaluation of career paths and the value of work-life balance [12]