• "Complex Responses Required for Algorithm-Based HR Management Discrimination and Social Safety Nets"
• "New Employment Opportunities Must Be Created Through the Restructuring of the AI-Utilizing Manufacturing Ecosystem"
• "Universal Right to Vocational Training and Cultivation of Talent Bridging Advanced Technology and Practical Skills Are Essential"
• Joint "AI Transition and Future of Labor Forum" Held on July 17 (Thursday) by Labor, Management, and Government

The Economic, Social and Labor Council (Chairman Kwon Ki-seob, hereinafter referred to as the ESLC), in collaboration with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (Chairman Kim Dong-myung, hereinafter referred to as FKTU), the Korea Employers Federation (Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, hereinafter referred to as KEF), and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (Vice Minister Kwon Chang-jun), jointly hosted the "AI Transition and Future of Labor Forum" (hereinafter referred to as 'the Forum') at the Korea Press Center on July 17 (Thursday) at 2:00 PM.

The ESLC launched the "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Labor Research Committee" (hereinafter referred to as 'the Committee') on January 8, with participation from labor, management, government, and experts, to analyze the impact of AI technology development on employment and the labor environment and to explore response measures.

This Forum was held with the aim of providing a public platform to broadly gather diverse expert opinions.

The keynote speech, titled "The Future of Labor in the AI Sapiens Era," was delivered by Professor Choi Jae-bung of Sungkyunkwan University. Session 1, on "Labor Policy Transition in the AI Era," featured a presentation by Professor Kwon Oh-sung of Yonsei University, with Kim Dug-ho, Secretary General of the ESLC, serving as the discussion moderator. Session 2, on "AI Industrial Workforce Strategy," featured a presentation by Professor Jang Young-jae of KAIST, with Jang Ji-yeon, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Labor Institute, serving as the discussion moderator.

Professor Choi Jae-bung, who delivered the keynote speech, predicted that "from now on, global capital and talent will concentrate on the AI sector," emphasizing that "the establishment of R&D strategies, a shift in the labor worldview, and the establishment of new cooperative relationships between labor and management are urgently needed."

Professor Kwon Oh-sung, who presented in Session 1, stated that "a complex response is required for issues such as algorithm-based human resource management discrimination, education and vocational training, and the establishment of social safety nets due to the AI transition." He particularly emphasized the need to "redesign vocational training as a universal 'social service' based on the constitutional 'right to work'."

Professor Jang Young-jae, the presenter in Session 2, stated that "in the AI era, it is necessary to foster talent based on 'divergent thinking' capable of executing various creative ideas, and to leverage the digitalization of manufacturing personnel using physical AI as an opportunity for new job creation." Professor Jang also added that "traditional advanced talent training institutions and on-site practical education are complementary, and more aggressive cultivation of technical personnel is urgently needed," suggesting that "collaboration between KAIST and Korea Polytechnic University could be an alternative."

In his welcoming address, Kim Dong-myung, Chairman of the FKTU, emphasized that "AI could further deepen the existing polarization in the labor market," and that "strengthening social safety nets is paramount for workers who need job transitions or lose their jobs due to AI."

Sohn Kyung-sik, Chairman of the KEF, stated that "in the AI era, labor laws and systems must be reformed to reflect a balance between labor market flexibility and stability, and labor policies that proactively respond to the changing technological environment are necessary."

Kwon Chang-jun, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, stated that "AI is not merely a technological advancement but is reorganizing our society's production methods, working styles, and even our overall way of life." He added that "the government is responding to the changes AI brings to our labor market by strengthening social safety nets and enhancing job transitions and training."

Kwon Gi-seob, Chairman of the ESLC, emphasized in his opening remarks that "in the AI era, labor, management, and government must jointly diagnose the trends of job changes and collaboratively design transition strategies and implementation paths that align with them."

Chairman Kwon also expressed his expectation that "the social dialogue platform involving labor, management, and government will be promptly resumed with the launch of the new government," adding that "the resolution of pressing reform tasks such as industrial transition due to AI and the dual structure of the labor market ultimately depends on the joint response of labor, management, and government."

The Research Group is discussing four main topics: ▲the impact of AI technology introduction on employment, ▲changes in working methods with AI utilization, ▲legal and institutional improvements for job creation and worker protection, and ▲talent development through AI technology education and training. They plan to compile these discussions and publish a 'Green Paper' on "AI and Labor" in October to propose policy directions.