South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Bae Kyung-hoon, has called for the benefits of artificial intelligence to be shared more broadly with the public, as the country faces labor tensions at major conglomerates like Samsung Electronics.
Speaking at a government economic meeting on May 24, 2026, Bae emphasized that the rapid adoption of AI should not exacerbate inequality but rather contribute to inclusive growth. He stated that the government is working on policies to ensure that the 'AI wealth' created by technological advancements reaches all segments of society.
The remarks come amid ongoing labor disputes at Samsung Electronics, where unions have raised concerns about job security and wage disparities as the company accelerates its AI-driven automation. Samsung, a key player in the global semiconductor and electronics market, has been at the center of discussions about the social impact of AI on the workforce.
Bae's comments reflect a broader debate in South Korea about how to manage the transition to an AI-powered economy while maintaining social cohesion. The government has previously announced plans to invest heavily in AI infrastructure and education, but critics argue that more concrete measures are needed to protect workers.
