[Alpha Biz= Kim Young Taek & Moon Sunjung] The labor union at Hyundai Motor is reportedly considering allowing the deployment of industrial robots in exchange for extending the retirement age to 64, according to industry sources.

Sources familiar with union leadership said the current executive body, led by union chief Lee Jong-chul, is internally reviewing a strategy to leverage the company’s push for automation—particularly the introduction of humanoid robots developed by Boston Dynamics—as a bargaining chip in upcoming labor negotiations.

The move is seen as tied to broader corporate priorities, including efforts by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun to enhance corporate value and secure funding related to succession planning. Market observers believe that a potential IPO of Boston Dynamics could play a key role in raising funds for inheritance taxes and strengthening group governance.

Chung has publicly stated that the company aims to deploy Atlas humanoid robots in production lines by 2028, making successful implementation critical to boosting the robotics unit’s valuation. However, under existing labor agreements, the introduction of new technologies such as robots requires union consent.

Given the timeline, management is under pressure to reach a labor agreement this year, as deploying robots overseas first could still trigger domestic labor backlash and reputational risks.
 

An industry source said the union appears to recognize management’s urgency and may use it strategically. “The union understands that robot deployment is a key priority tied to long-term corporate strategy and is considering using this as leverage to secure job stability measures,” the source said.

Union officials indicated that no formal agreement has yet been reached, and discussions remain at an early stage. They emphasized that the introduction of new technologies must be subject to mutual agreement under existing labor provisions.

The union is also facing immediate workforce concerns, with an estimated 2,500 employees expected to retire annually over the next few years. As a result, extending the retirement age and ensuring job security are seen as urgent priorities in upcoming negotiations.

 

 

 

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