S. Korea to train 10,000 AI workers, share vocational programs with ASEAN

South Korea plans to train 10,000 AI practitioners through its K-Digital Training program, backed by the National Tomorrow Learning Card, and will share its vocational training and competency certification policies — including the National Competency Standards and an online vocational training platform — with ASEAN member states.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon attended the 14th ASEAN+3 Labor Ministers' Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, where he presented the government's "industry transition with employment" policy.

The ASEAN+3 Labor Ministers' Meeting brings together employment and labor representatives from 11 ASEAN nations plus South Korea, China and Japan to discuss areas of cooperation, and is held every two years. This year's meeting focused on developing human resources and competency certification frameworks to address the digital transition driven by AI and the green transition toward carbon neutrality.

In his address as head of the South Korean delegation, Kim said the government would establish a "basic plan for employment stability during industrial transition," covering employment impact monitoring and the strengthening of vocational training and lifelong learning. The plan calls for expanding support for young people entering the workforce for the first time and for company-led on-site training, while offering middle-aged and older workers an integrated reemployment support service spanning industry-transition-specific training, work experience and job placement.

On human resource development, Kim said the government would train 10,000 AI practitioners through K-Digital Training, built on the National Tomorrow Learning Card. The Smart Employment Training Platform, an online system allowing learners to access education regardless of time or location, will also be used to build AI application skills across industries including design, mechanical engineering and electrical work.

The government has developed and distributed approximately 1,100 National Competency Standards, which systematize the knowledge and skills required for specific occupations. Through "Employment 24," a platform that integrates vocational training and job matching, the government also provides an integrated career certificate service available to job seekers and freelancers.

Based on the meeting's outcomes, participating countries adopted a joint declaration pledging stronger cooperation in quality full employment, human resource development including green and digital skills, and sustainable and inclusive social protection systems. The declaration also expressed gratitude for South Korea's contributions in vocational training, labor market information and the future of work.

"South Korea will actively support ASEAN countries in developing and implementing inclusive employment policies," Kim said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Kim held bilateral talks with Thai Labor Minister Julapan Amornwiwat to discuss AI-related employment and vocational training policies and cooperation on the employment permit system. He met with Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ueno Kenichiro to discuss approaches to social dialogue on extending the retirement age. Kim also met with International Labour Organization Director-General Gilbert Houngbo to discuss major employment and labor issues and avenues for cooperation between South Korea and the ILO.

On Friday, Kim is scheduled to meet with Korean youth who found jobs in Thailand through the government's overseas employment support program, and hear about their difficulties living abroad and their policy suggestions.