Samsung workers had pushed for changes to the company’s bonus structure, including formalizing bonuses in employment contracts, removing payout caps, and distributing 15% of operating profits to workers. The strike was suspended after both sides reached a provisional deal that union members are now voting on.
Bae suggested disputes like the one at Samsung are likely to become more common as AI-driven industries generate larger concentrations of wealth and influence.
“In the age of AI, more of these super-large companies will continue to emerge,” Bae said. “Labor-management conflicts may continue to arise, and when they do, it will be important to resolve them wisely through dialogue.”
The remarks reflect growing debate inside South Korea over who benefits from the country’s position at the center of the global semiconductor and AI supply chain. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have become major beneficiaries of investor enthusiasm tied to AI infrastructure demand, helping drive a sharp rally in South Korean equities.
Samsung shares have climbed nearly 144% this year, while SK Hynix has gained almost 200%. The Kospi index has also surged, lifted largely by advances in the country’s semiconductor sector.
Bae argued the market gains are not limited to the largest chipmakers alone, saying the semiconductor industry supports a broader network of related companies throughout the economy.
At the same time, the government appears increasingly focused on the social consequences of AI adoption. Bae pointed to concerns surrounding Hyundai’s integration of Atlas robots from Boston Dynamics into manufacturing operations, highlighting broader anxieties over automation and employment.
“What South Korea needs is not only the ability to create great wealth with AI, but to also judge how the wealth and technology can be used properly, and the impact it will have on the public,” Bae said. He added that Seoul is working toward what he described as an “AI-inclusive society,” where the benefits of the technology extend beyond major corporations and investors.
The debate intensified after presidential official Kim Yeong Beom suggested in a Facebook post that excess tax revenue generated by South Korea’s AI and semiconductor sectors could potentially be distributed to citizens. The proposal triggered volatility in financial markets before another official clarified that the idea reflected Kim’s personal opinion rather than a formal government policy discussion.
Beyond semiconductors, Bae said South Korea is also trying to strengthen its position in “physical AI,” a category that includes AI systems embedded in robots, vehicles and industrial equipment. He said the country aims to expand beyond chip manufacturing into hardware, software and AI-related services as competition in the sector accelerates.
This analysis is based on reporting from CNBC.
Image courtesy of Unsplash.
This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy and quality.
