○​ The 4-day workweek system aims to reduce working hours and days by shortening the 5-day workweek to 4 days.  Many developing countries that saw a significant increase in remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to introduce a four-day work week or a reduced working hours system as a kind of social experiment. 

○​ Korea already has experience with implementing reduced working hours systems, such as the 5-day and 40-hour workweeks. Exploring related previous research, studies explaining the positive effects of shortening working hours generally support the mechanism that long working hours cause accumulation of fatigue and overwork, which reduces health and labor productivity.

○​ On the other hand, some analyses state that the effect is greater efficiency or that the polarization would further intensify according to the situation of the worker. While the Korean society has a positive outlook on the improvement of work-life balance and leisure time, depending on the industry, a carefully designed policy is required to mitigate any crises that may arise. 

○​ Here are some of the strategies that Jeonbuk can implement to respond to social change. First, the four-day workweek can attract the population through urbanization. As young people in their 20s and 30s have a high preference for the 4-day workweek, taking the lead in carrying out projects for the 4-day workweek through the special provisions of the Jeonbuk Special Act can be used as a driving force to attract young creative talents to the region.

○​ Second, a foundation for revitalizing leisure according to the four-day workweek must be built. Travel, health care, and hobbies are areas that are expected to become popular due to the shortened working hours. However, with the weekend increased from 2 to 3 days, the demand for domestic travel is likely to change to that for short-distance overseas travel, causing a high possibility of a crisis in the leisure industry from Jeonbuk’s perspective. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for such crises and take advantage of opportunities through an environmental analysis of Jeonbuk’s leisure industry.​