Paik Un-gyu, minister of trade, industry and energy, said Thursday that his ministry is looking into the possibility of expanding flexible working hour limits as businesses struggle to adapt to new labor regulations. “I’m touring companies to hear their opinions,” said Paik at the Jeju Forum hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). “We plan to announce results of analyses on effects that the application of extended flexible working hour limits would have on various industries.” The comment gives hope to enterprises that are struggling to deal with the new 52-hour workweek that went into effect this month. Flexible working hour limits refers to a system where employees are allowed to work more than 52 hours per week, provided that the average over a three month period is less than 40 hours per week. Businesses have requested that the three month period be extended to six months or even a year. This would benefit companies that require intensive labor at certain periods but not so much at other times, such as industries with seasonal peaks.