During a meeting in Seoul's Lotte Hotel with Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Sohn discussed the Samsung bonus issue and ongoing domestic matters, including artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration initiatives.
This year, Samsung Electronics is projected to achieve an operating profit of approximately 300 trillion won, prompting labor unions to demand a share of the company's profits.
Sohn expressed that "the semiconductor industry requires substantial upfront investments" and warned that widespread demands for profit sharing could introduce uncertainties for corporate management and the national economy.
He added, "Even after agreements, internal conflicts regarding equity among divisions continue," noting that such movements could exacerbate tensions not only between companies and industries but also within Samsung itself.
The meeting between Sohn and Houngbo was part of a collaborative effort for a 'Global AI Hub' that the South Korean government is pursuing. A joint statement regarding the establishment of this hub, involving nine international organizations including the ILO, was released on May 21.
Sohn remarked, "It is significant for Korea, a leader in AI technology, to play a pivotal role in global AI collaboration," emphasizing that the federation is actively participating in social dialogue with labor and government to effectively respond to the AI transition.
He also mentioned plans to attend the ILO conference in Geneva next month, expressing hope that discussions would balance the perspectives of various countries and stakeholders.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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