A top South Korean policymaker suggested citizens should receive an “AI
dividend” funded by taxes on AI-related profits, reflecting pressure to
redistribute gains from the AI boom benefiting firms like Samsung Electronics
and SK Hynix. Presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom’s Facebook post triggered
sharp swings in Korean equities, with the Kospi falling as much as 5.1% before
paring losses after clarification that he referred to excess tax revenue rather
than a new windfall tax. Investors in Samsung and SK Hynix also saw volatility
but recovered some losses. The remarks highlight rising concern over AI-driven
inequality and growing views of AI as national infrastructure.
