South Korea Labour Minister Calls on Samsung, Tech Firms to Distribute AI Windfall to Workers and Suppliers - News and Statistics

Jun 5, 2026

South Korea’s labour minister has called on the country’s major tech firms to distribute the rewards from their enormous profit surges, cautioning that record-breaking semiconductor earnings linked to the AI boom could exacerbate economic disparities. Kim Young-hoon indicated that firms like Samsung Electronics that surpass profit benchmarks ought to consider allocating surplus gains to suppliers, subcontractors, and employees after tax deductions, recognizing their role in corporate success.

Kim proposed that the government, businesses, unions, and suppliers hold a public discussion on distributing these excess profits to reduce the divide between major conglomerates and smaller vendors. A former labour activist appointed by President Lee Jae Myung, Kim previously facilitated a last-minute wage agreement between Samsung and its union, preventing a significant strike and securing substantial bonuses for memory-chip staff.

This distribution concept, presented during his first foreign media interview following the Samsung deal, highlights unconventional approaches being weighed by senior South Korean policymakers as they address the country’s substantial gains from the global AI surge. Kim stated that new distribution guidelines should be established through social dialogue, emphasizing that Samsung’s accomplishments stem from joint efforts by labour and management, alongside contributions from 1,700 suppliers and local communities providing water and electricity.

Profits at Samsung and rival SK Hynix have climbed sharply due to rising AI-driven demand for memory chips. Samsung has committed to granting special bonuses to workers if annual operating profit exceeds 200 trillion won from 2026 to 2028. Kim initially proposed a public dialogue on excess corporate profits in late May and plans to host a forum on the topic, sharing his views on defining and distributing such profits—including adjusting supplier prices—for the first time with Reuters.

Kim faced criticism from the conservative opposition People Power Party, which labeled his proposal a hazardous form of state intervention that erodes free-market foundations. The presidential office did not comment on this story but previously acknowledged Kim’s remarks raised pertinent issues and supported a debate. Another high-ranking policymaker last month suggested distributing a dividend to citizens from extra tax revenue generated by AI profits.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

REPORT DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

KEY FINDINGS
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
UNSATURATED MARKETS
TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports

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EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

11. COUNTRY PROFILES

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

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