South Korea is trying to stop overwork by limiting the maximum workweek to 52 hours

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• South Korea has lowered its workweek from 68 to 52 hours.
• Larger firms that breach the new rules could be fined up to $17,815. Executives could face two years in prison.
• President Moon Jae-in is hoping the new hours will increase jobs, productivity, and fertility rates.
• South Korea had one of the longest work weeks in the developed world, and these "inhumanely long" hours could by why the country also has one of the lowest birth rates.

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South Korea has implemented a new 52 hour work week in an attempt to stop chronic overwork.

The country is trying to promote a greater work-life balance by lowering the maximum hours people can work from 68 to 40 hours, plus another 12 hour of overtime. Smaller firms won't need to make changes until 2020, but larger firms that breach the new rules could be fined up to $17,815. Executives could face two years in prison.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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