The South Korean government is preparing measures to support workers whose jobs are threatened by artificial intelligence, including consultations and a basic employment stabilization plan to be announced in June.
The South Korean government is taking proactive steps to address potential job losses caused by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. Workers in occupations at risk of disappearing due to AI will be able to access consulting services aimed at helping them transition to new roles. At an emergency economic meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Ku Yun-cheol, officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor discussed the current status and future plans for the basic employment stabilization plan, which is set to be unveiled in June. This plan aims to alleviate job insecurities resulting from industrial transitions driven by advancements in AI.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor has stated that a basic employment support plan must be established every five years under the newly enacted "Employment Stability Support Law for Industrial Transition," which came into effect in 2024. This will be the initial basic plan since the law's introduction. Key initiatives outlined by the government include the establishment of a continuous monitoring system for labor market impacts, support for seamless job transitions, strengthening of the unemployment benefits framework, and vocational retraining to enhance AI capabilities. The objective is to develop a system that can react in real-time to labor market changes while providing proactive career planning and consulting services to workers affected by AI.
Furthermore, the Ministry is committed to enhancing the safety net for unemployed individuals and is considering ways to strengthen unemployment benefits as part of its employment safety network. Plans are also underway to expand retraining and educational opportunities tailored to different life stages, particularly for those who may be left behind in the digital transition. A forum composed of experts is scheduled to hold concentrated discussions in April and May to draft the basic plan, with opportunities for public consultation and feedback included to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing the impact of AI on employment.
