South Korea Deputy Prime Minister Says AI Wealth Should Reach Broader Public

South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said the country must ensure wealth created by artificial intelligence reaches the wider public. Speaking to CNBC's Lisa Kim on Friday, Bae said the AI era has raised questions about how gains from the technology should be distributed and whether it could worsen inequality or lead to job losses.

Bae linked recent labor-management conflicts to this trend, citing Samsung Electronics where a planned 18-day strike by unionized workers was suspended Wednesday after government officials intervened. Workers had demanded formalization of bonuses in contracts, removal of bonus caps, and a payout equal to 15 percent of Samsung's operating profits as bonuses.

A tentative deal was reached on Wednesday, and union members are voting on the plan from Friday to 27 May. Bae said such disputes are unlikely to remain isolated. "In the age of AI, more of these super-large companies will continue to emerge. In that process, labor-management conflicts may continue to arise, and when they do, it will be important to resolve them wisely through dialogue," he said.

Bae was also asked about sharp gains in South Korean markets led by Samsung and SK Hynix. Samsung shares have risen almost 144 percent year-to-date, and SK Hynix shares have risen almost 200 percent since January 1. The Kospi index is more than 86 percent higher in 2026 so far.

Bae said the concentration of gains is supported by an ecosystem of related companies that back semiconductor production. He added that South Korea is seeking a competitive position in physical AI, which involves embedding AI in robots, vehicles, and industrial systems.

"In a way, semiconductors and AI infrastructure provide the fundamental foundation. On top of that, Korea is trying to build out the full spectrum of AI capabilities, including various hardware equipment, software, and related services," Bae said.