President Lee Jae-myung met with Gilbert Houngbo, the Secretary-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), to discuss labor policies in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).
In a written briefing on the afternoon of May 22, Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated, "President Lee and Secretary-General Houngbo acknowledged that balancing the protection of labor rights and technological innovation is a critical challenge for the international community amid significant changes in the labor market and industrial structure due to advancements in AI technology. They discussed the role of AI in creating quality jobs."
Houngbo praised South Korea's efforts to establish itself as a global AI hub and expressed expectations for the country's role in utilizing AI in the labor sector. The global AI hub is a South Korean-led initiative involving collaboration among governments, international organizations, and research institutions to build an AI cooperation framework.
He also requested that President Lee attend the ILO General Conference scheduled for June next year to share the direction and achievements of South Korea's labor-respecting policies.
President Lee emphasized the government's commitment to a "labor-respecting" policy framework, explaining that efforts are ongoing to ensure that the use of AI positively impacts labor. He highlighted key initiatives, including the protection of labor rights, the establishment of social safety nets, enhanced vocational training and lifelong learning, and building trust through social dialogue.
Additionally, he expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with the ILO to fulfill South Korea's responsible role in the international community.
During the opening remarks, when Houngbo noted that South Korea ranks among the top ten contributors to the ILO, President Lee responded, "We have many talented individuals in South Korea, so please make good use of them in international organizations like the ILO." Houngbo agreed, stating, "That is a valid point."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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