{"id":42296,"date":"2026-06-05T04:19:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T04:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/42296\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T04:19:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T04:19:08","slug":"south-korea-labour-minister-calls-on-samsung-tech-firms-to-distribute-ai-windfall-to-workers-and-suppliers-news-and-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/42296\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea Labour Minister Calls on Samsung, Tech Firms to Distribute AI Windfall to Workers and Suppliers &#8211; News and Statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJun 5, 2026\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>South Korea&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/store\/south-korea\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">labour minister has called<\/a> on the country&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>This distribution concept, presented during his first foreign media interview following the Samsung deal, highlights unconventional approaches being weighed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/store\/branch\/economic_policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">senior South Korean policymakers<\/a> as they address the country&#8217;s substantial gains from the global AI surge. Kim stated that new distribution guidelines should be established through social dialogue, emphasizing that Samsung&#8217;s accomplishments stem from joint efforts by labour and management, alongside contributions from 1,700 suppliers and local communities providing water and electricity.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2014including adjusting supplier prices\u2014for the first time with Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t1. INTRODUCTION<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tREPORT DESCRIPTION<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tDATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tGLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS<\/p>\n<p>\t\t2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">A Quick Overview of Market Performance<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tKEY FINDINGS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMARKET TRENDS <a class=\"px-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/licenses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition<\/a>PRO<\/p>\n<p>\t\t3. MARKET OVERVIEW<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tMARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tCONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMARKET FORECAST TO 2035<\/p>\n<p>\t\t4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tBEST-SELLING PRODUCTS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST TRADED PRODUCTS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT<\/p>\n<p>\t\t5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tLOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES<\/p>\n<p>\t\t6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP CONSUMING MARKETS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tUNSATURATED MARKETS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP IMPORTING MARKETS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST PROFITABLE MARKETS<\/p>\n<p>\t\t7. PRODUCTION<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tPRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tPRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t8. IMPORTS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Import Supplying Countries<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tIMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tIMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tIMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t9. EXPORTS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Destinations for Exports<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tEXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tEXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tEXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles<\/p>\n<p>                        11. COUNTRY PROFILES<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Markets And Their Profiles<\/p>\n<p>                        <a class=\"pe-2 fs-5 mb-2\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/licenses\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition<\/a><br \/>\n                        PRO<\/p>\n<p>11.1<\/p>\n<p>United States<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.2<\/p>\n<p>China<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.3<\/p>\n<p>Japan<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.4<\/p>\n<p>Germany<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.5<\/p>\n<p>United Kingdom<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.6<\/p>\n<p>France<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.7<\/p>\n<p>Brazil<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.8<\/p>\n<p>Italy<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.9<\/p>\n<p>Russian Federation<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.10<\/p>\n<p>India<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.11<\/p>\n<p>Canada<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.12<\/p>\n<p>Australia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.13<\/p>\n<p>Republic of Korea<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.14<\/p>\n<p>Spain<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.15<\/p>\n<p>Mexico<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.16<\/p>\n<p>Indonesia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.17<\/p>\n<p>Netherlands<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.18<\/p>\n<p>Turkey<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.19<\/p>\n<p>Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.20<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.21<\/p>\n<p>Sweden<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.22<\/p>\n<p>Nigeria<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.23<\/p>\n<p>Poland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.24<\/p>\n<p>Belgium<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.25<\/p>\n<p>Argentina<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.26<\/p>\n<p>Norway<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.27<\/p>\n<p>Austria<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.28<\/p>\n<p>Thailand<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.29<\/p>\n<p>United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.30<\/p>\n<p>Colombia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.31<\/p>\n<p>Denmark<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.32<\/p>\n<p>South Africa<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.33<\/p>\n<p>Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.34<\/p>\n<p>Israel<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.35<\/p>\n<p>Singapore<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.36<\/p>\n<p>Egypt<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.37<\/p>\n<p>Philippines<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.38<\/p>\n<p>Finland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.39<\/p>\n<p>Chile<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.40<\/p>\n<p>Ireland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.41<\/p>\n<p>Pakistan<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.42<\/p>\n<p>Greece<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.43<\/p>\n<p>Portugal<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.44<\/p>\n<p>Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.45<\/p>\n<p>Algeria<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.46<\/p>\n<p>Czech Republic<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.47<\/p>\n<p>Qatar<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.48<\/p>\n<p>Peru<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.49<\/p>\n<p>Romania<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.50<\/p>\n<p>Vietnam<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<br \/>\n\t\tLIST OF TABLES<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tKey Findings In 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Value: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tPer Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022\u20132025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\tLIST OF FIGURES<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tMarket Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Value: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tConsumption, by Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Volume Forecast to 2035<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Value Forecast to 2035<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Size and Growth, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tAverage Per Capita Consumption, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports and Growth, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices and Growth, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction Volume and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Size and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tPer Capita Consumption<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImport Prices<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, by Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jun 5, 2026 South Korea&#8217;s labour minister has called on the country&#8217;s major tech firms to distribute the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":42297,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3888,10671,7830,9100,31,14188,146,191,4214,127,4295,275,25446,33,16971,6103],"class_list":["post-42296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-korea","tag-ai-boom","tag-excess-profits","tag-inequality","tag-kim-young-hoon","tag-korea","tag-labour-minister","tag-lee-jae-myung","tag-people-power-party","tag-profit-sharing","tag-samsung","tag-semiconductor-profits","tag-sk-hynix","tag-social-dialogue","tag-south-korea","tag-suppliers","tag-workers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}