Kim Chang-jun, the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor, introduced the 'Labor-Driven Industrial Transition' policy at the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Employment and Labor, addressing the challenges posed by the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) and industrial transformation.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that Deputy Minister Kim discussed these issues on September 21 during the 8th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Employment and Labor held in Nanjing, China. The meeting included senior representatives from the 21 APEC member economies, who deliberated on policy directions for inclusive growth amid changes in the labor market environment due to digital transformation driven by AI advancements.
In his keynote address, Deputy Minister Kim outlined policies aimed at reducing job shocks during industrial transitions and supporting workers in job transitions. He emphasized the importance of monitoring the employment impacts of AI and enhancing vocational training and lifelong learning to improve AI utilization skills, based on the 'Basic Plan for Employment Stability in Industrial Transition' developed collaboratively by labor, management, and the government. Support for job transitions for middle-aged workers will also be expanded.
He also introduced policies to support youth entering the labor market. The government plans to increase the number of participants in the 'K-New Deal Academy,' a company-led training program in sectors such as finance, electronics, and mobility, from 10,000 to 50,000. An 'AI Employment Center' will be established to assess job seekers' situations, goals, and capabilities, and a comprehensive career certification system will be developed to manage freelancers' work experience and qualifications.
The safety net for employment will also be broadened. The criteria for employment insurance will be restructured from a focus on working hours to income, expanding the enrollment base for various types of workers, including those in atypical employment and freelancers. The number of beneficiaries for the 'Duru Nuri' project, which supports social insurance premiums for small businesses, will increase from 1.08 million to 1.8 million, and the scope of support will be expanded to include industrial accident and health insurance premiums.
For middle-aged workers, support will be provided for career transitions linked to work experience and job placement, along with specialized training for industrial transitions. To protect the rights of foreign workers, the government will designate human rights leaders for foreigners to establish a monitoring system and strengthen workplace guidance and supervision.
In the area of industrial accident prevention, the government plans to use machine learning to focus supervision on high-risk workplaces and require companies with repeated accidents of the same type to implement safety measures. A new childcare allowance of 1.5 million won will be established for labor providers, and the number of beneficiaries for employer replacement support will increase from 8,000 to 12,000.
Based on the discussions, APEC member economies adopted a joint declaration that includes commitments to promote quality full employment and employment-friendly economic development, invest in people and enhance vocational training, and strengthen and optimize social security systems.
Deputy Minister Kim stated, 'In line with the agreements in the joint declaration, South Korea will actively pursue the development and implementation of related policies in employment services, vocational training, and social security systems.' He added, 'We will continue to maintain close ties with APEC by creating opportunities to share best practices in collaboration with international organizations.'
Additionally, Deputy Minister Kim plans to meet with South Korean youth employed in China through overseas employment support programs on September 22 to listen to their challenges and suggestions during the local employment process. He will also visit the 48th International Skills Olympics in Shanghai to encourage the South Korean representative team and observe competitions in automotive maintenance, water treatment technology, and cloud computing.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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