"Can anyone really stop the prevailing tide of artificial intelligence and robots? Labor and management must closely consult on what impact new technology will have, and then rigorously evaluate it through institutionalized frameworks."
Kim Dong-myeong, chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), who in January became the first leader in the federation's history to win a third consecutive term, sat down with the Seoul Economic Daily on June 6 at his office in Yeouido, Seoul. He laid out his positions on a range of pressing labor issues including the adoption of AI and humanoid robots, corporate competitiveness, and the so-called Yellow Envelope Act. The FKTU, as Korea's largest trade union umbrella organization, shares the labor landscape with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). It generally prioritizes social dialogue over militant action.
On the adoption of AI and humanoid robots — a matter that has recently emerged as a key flashpoint in the labor community — Chairman Kim stressed that rather than blocking technology outright, stakeholders should scrutinize its impact and how the resulting gains are distributed. "We need to examine whether the introduction of AI and robots leads solely to greater competitiveness, and what effects it has on corporate and social costs," he said. "The fruits of competitiveness must also be redistributed to workers in the form of working hours, safety, and income." His message was clear: while the FKTU does not oppose the adoption of AI and humanoid robots, workers must have a seat at the table when it comes to how the technology is deployed and how its benefits are shared. This stands in contrast to unions such as Hyundai Motor's, which oppose the introduction itself.
Until now, much of the labor community has treated the phrase "enhancing competitiveness" as an ideology deployed by corporations and the government to curtail workers' rights — a justification for minimizing wage increases and extending working hours at workers' expense. Kim, however, offered a different view. "Corporate competitiveness is an important part of our society's competitiveness and is directly linked to national competitiveness," he said. "Only when it is sustained can a path open to resolving workers' problems as well." He added, "If corporate competitiveness weakens, workers' employment inevitably becomes unstable. Rather than thinking only of sacrifice, we must consider how to coexist with competitiveness in a way that minimizes disadvantages for labor — by participating together."
On the other hand, Kim expressed dissatisfaction with the Yellow Envelope Act (the revised Trade Union Act) that took effect last month. While the government pledged to reduce confusion on the ground through enforcement decrees and administrative interpretations, observers say confusion has only deepened one month into implementation. "The criteria for determining who the true employer is remain ambiguous, so case law needs to accumulate," Kim said. "I understand the KCTU's position that 'the government should just leave it alone.'"
