Kim Young-hoon meets ILO chief in Geneva to discuss AI labor rights

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon met with International Labour Organization Director-General Gilbert Houngbo on the sidelines of the ILO General Conference to discuss protecting labor rights in the age of AI and ways to expand South Korea-ILO cooperation.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Kim met with Houngbo on Tuesday during the 114th ILO General Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was also attended by National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee members Lee Hak-young, Kim Wi-sang, Kim Ju-young and Kim Hyeong-dong, as well as Kim Ji-hyeong, chair of the Economic, Social and Labor Council.

Kim expressed pleasure at meeting Houngbo again following the director-general's visit to South Korea in May. The two discussed the direction of human-centered AI policy, expansion of Korea-ILO cooperation projects, and ways to strengthen South Korea's role in international labor affairs.

Houngbo said the joint attendance of National Assembly members and a social dialogue body "demonstrates South Korea's strong interest in international labor issues and its commitment to social dialogue." He added that he hoped cooperation between the two sides would deepen through South Korea's push to build a global AI hub and through Korea-ILO joint projects.

The ruling and opposition lawmakers at the meeting also stressed the importance of protecting labor rights and finding solutions for quality jobs in response to labor market changes brought on by the AI transition.

Assembly member Lee Hak-young said the National Assembly would "continue to pay close attention and work toward a human-centered transition and the protection of labor rights amid an AI-driven labor market."

Assembly member Kim Hyeong-dong said he hoped the ILO conference would serve as "a valuable opportunity to think about the right choices at a time when we are confronting the challenges of the AI transition," and pledged the National Assembly's support.

Assembly member Kim Ju-young called on labor, management and government to work together to build international labor norms suited to an era of sweeping change driven by digitalization, AI and demographic shifts. He stressed that all three parties have a critical role to play in ensuring the AI transition fosters shared growth rather than deepening inequality.

Assembly member Kim Wi-sang said that while the shift to AI and digital technologies is inevitable, "what matters is finding a path where workers and businesses can grow together," and called for greater attention to vulnerable workers during the transition.

Economic, Social and Labor Council Chair Kim Ji-hyeong said South Korea, as a country that has ratified the ILO's core conventions, has pursued solutions to major labor issues through tripartite social dialogue. He pledged to continue drawing on the ILO's principles in that effort.

Minister Kim said that "social dialogue and international solidarity matter all the more in an era of AI and industrial transformation," adding that South Korea plans to take an active and leading role in global discussions on human-centered AI alongside the ILO.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said the meeting confirmed a shared understanding among the government, the National Assembly and the social dialogue body on protecting labor rights and shaping international labor policy in the age of AI.