The leaders of South Korea's two major trade unions have decided to jointly address the employment crisis and deteriorating labor conditions exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
On January 10, Yang Kyung-soo, the chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), visited Kim Dong-myung, the chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), for a New Year's meeting. The two leaders recognized the escalating concerns over job security due to AI advancements, particularly in light of recent controversies involving Hyundai Motors' Atlas production facility in the United States. They emphasized the necessity for close cooperation to tackle the challenges posed by AI-driven industrial transformation.
Kim highlighted the intertwining crises of climate change and industrial transitions alongside burgeoning employment risks stemming from AI as significant threats that will change the landscape of labor movements. He called for united efforts from all societal stakeholders to overcome these challenges. The union leaders expressed their commitment to developing coordinated responses not only to address issues surrounding the implementation of new labor laws, such as the Yellow Envelope Law, but also to actively work towards reinforcing negotiations with major corporations to safeguard workers’ rights and secure stable employment within the evolving job market influenced by AI.
The imminent implementation of the Yellow Envelope Law has raised the urgency of their collaboration. Yang urged for substantial progress in direct negotiations with major corporations and stressed the importance of channeling the voices from the labor front into policy-making processes. Both union leaders articulated a vision for a united front to secure workers' rights amid the uncertainties and transformations expected in the workforce due to advancements in physical AI, and they pledged to work together to come up with wise solutions to these significant challenges ahead.
