"AI Leading to Workforce Cuts? More Hiring Needed... Strategies for Companies Beyond 'Peak Korea'"

"Hunet CEO Forum - Foresight Korea" Held
Next Year's Business Planning Keywords: AI and Rebalancing
Innovation and Talent Outweigh Short-term Cost Reduction
Idea-Driven and People-Centered Leadership Determines Corporate Success

"The keyword 'uncertainty' alone is no longer sufficient to describe the business environment. We must look for hints in the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI)."

On September 30, at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Jo Youngtak, CEO of Hunet, held a press conference during the "Hunet CEO Forum - Foresight Korea 2026" and stated, "All situations are changing rapidly, including the reorganization of the international order centered around U.S. President Trump and the rise of China."

Now in its second year, the Hunet CEO Forum is an event where experts from industry, academia, and research institutions gather to forecast the business environment for the coming year and provide practical insights to Korea's top executives and CEOs. This year's forum theme is "Peak Korea, Rewriting Management: The New Formula for Success in a New Order," and Hunet has selected "AI" and "rebalancing" as the key business planning keywords for next year.

On the 30th, at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Kim Sejik, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Seoul National University, is delivering the keynote speech at the "Hunet CEO Forum - Foresight Korea 2026." Hunet

Kim Jusoo, Director of the Hunet L&D Research Institute, said, "Last year, the main topics were economic recession, uncertainty, and the spread of AI, but this year, the essential integration of AI across all areas of business has become even more prominent." He added, "At the same time, there is an increasing need to restructure companies in terms of business models, management methods, and human resources."

"The Growth Formula Is Over... Creative Talent Is Key"

Kim Sejik, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Seoul National University, who delivered the keynote speech, diagnosed that the era of high growth in the Korean economy has ended and that the country has entered the "Peak Korea" phase. He suggested that companies must completely change how they manage their workforce in order to survive.

Professor Kim analyzed, "The old growth formula of scaling up, export-oriented strategies, and imitation-based approaches is no longer valid. In an era where AI replaces technological implementation, the success or failure of companies depends on creative ideas and the human capital to execute them."

He especially noted that this could present significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises or workers with good ideas. He explained, "There were even predictions that Hollywood workers would become homeless due to the emergence of AI for video production, but on the contrary, those with good ideas can now create works without major resources."

On the 30th, Kwon Youngsoo, former Vice Chairman of LG Energy Solution, is delivering the keynote speech at the "HUNET CEO Forum - Foresight Korea 2026" held at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. HUNET

However, he believes that using AI simply to reduce the workforce is not a sustainable strategy. Professor Kim emphasized, "While cutting costs in this way is the most natural and basic response for companies in the AI era, I don't think it will lead to success, because all companies are responding this way. Beyond cost reduction, companies must leverage AI to create new products and secure competitiveness."

"AI Technology and People-Centered Leadership Are the Answer"

Kwon Youngsoo, former Vice Chairman of LG Energy Solution, who delivered the keynote speech from the business perspective, also warned that the approach of simply reducing staff is risky.

Kwon stated, "If you reduce your workforce with AI, you must fill the remaining positions with highly skilled people and provide thorough AI training. While you may not see immediate cost savings, considering the potential for these employees to innovate with AI, you can envision a much greater future."

He identified the core of business management as a combination of AI technology and people-centered leadership. Kwon emphasized, "For companies to successfully implement AI, innovation in HR systems and patience from top management are essential. Above all, the philosophy that 'employees are the most important customers' must be at the heart of organizational culture."

On the 30th, at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Kim Jusoo, Director of the Hunet L&D Research Institute (from left), Jo Youngtak, CEO of Hunet, Kwon Youngsoo, former Vice Chairman of LG Energy Solution, and Kim Sejik, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Seoul National University, held a press conference during the "Hunet CEO Forum - Foresight Korea 2026." Hunet

He also stressed that for the revival of the domestic manufacturing industry, the government must set the right direction for smart factories. He said, "Manufacturing is an indispensable industry, and smart factories are 'dream factories' that operate under optimal algorithms. Even in factories labeled as automated, there are few places where such systems are fully implemented, but if the government takes the lead in setting standards for Korea's smart factories, there will be opportunities."

Meanwhile, the main event featured a total of 32 lectures across five fields: economy and international affairs, management strategy and innovation, marketing, organization and leadership, and technology and AI. The event was held both offline and via online live stream, attracting more than 1,000 participants and receiving a positive response.

CEO Jo stated, "Foresight Korea goes beyond introducing trends and provides the most practical insights for companies to concretize their business plans for the coming year. We will continue to fulfill our responsibility as a think tank for executives and business leaders."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.