Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) said on the 22nd that "in a situation where artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the foundations of social systems, we need to invent a new social system."
The Minister said this at a "briefing with the press corps marking the first anniversary of taking office" held at the labor ministry press room at the Government Complex Sejong, saying, "Our institutions have become old."
He said, "We must innovate not only technology but also institutions," adding, "We can achieve the grand proposition of AI for humans against technological determinism."
Earlier on the 13th, the Minister proposed establishing a "K-Labor Chamber" for platform workers and freelancers, and at the briefing he laid out the concrete role of the body. The Minister said, "It will be a self-help group for nonstandard workers and, for many who cannot even (organize) a labor union, a welfare delivery system." He went on, "It will also take on roles such as small loans and processing severance pay applications," adding, "The idea is to create a space where (nonstandard workers) can communicate with one another."
The Minister said, "Policy Deputy Minister Kim Yong-beom is also working to flesh out what he said on KBS Sunday Diagnosis." Appearing on Sunday Diagnosis on the 19th, Deputy Minister Kim said, "(Corporations) have drastically reduced hiring of entry-level workers," and asked, "Can't the Republic of Korea take responsibility for (young people's two to three years of experience)? The government should design a program to help them build (experience) for about two years." However, he said the method would not be hiring them as civil servants.
The Minister added, "In the AI era, the role of the state is to take an unknown path (that no one has attempted)."
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's instruction the day before to specify the scope of labor disputes in the yellow envelope law, a new labor law aimed at strengthening the bargaining rights of subcontract workers (amended Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), the Minister said, "We will further explain the intent of the yellow envelope law to labor and management on the ground and ensure the related instructions are carried out."