Park Young-sun Recommends 'AI Startup' to Translation Students... Opposition: "Thanos Who Snaps Fingers to Eliminate Jobs"

Park Young-sun, who proposed 'unmanned convenience stores,' now recommends 'AI interpretation'
Opposition criticizes, "Seems like their hobby is crushing youth dreams"

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate, recommending an artificial intelligence (AI) translation startup to a student majoring in interpretation and translation during a campaign rally. Photo by YTN, captured from 'Dolbal Video'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, has sparked controversy by recommending an artificial intelligence (AI) translation startup to a student majoring in interpretation and translation during her election campaign. Opposition parties have criticized Park, saying she should be appointed as a "youth job killer" and accusing her of lacking empathy.

YTN's 'Unexpected Video' reported on the 29th that Park met with young people and talked with them during her campaign.

On the 26th, Park encountered students majoring in interpretation and translation in front of Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. When Park asked, "Are there many jobs available after graduation?" one student replied, "It is a worrying situation."

In response, Park said, "Then I will introduce a job for you. It is a startup. When you upload interpreted or translated content, the AI selects the ones that fit the AI trend, and the translation speed is incredibly fast." She added, "Hiring employees involves wage burdens, but by doing translation through a platform, it is faster and more accurate. Translation fees are also distributed as opportunities to many people. This company is gaining popularity these days."

On the 25th, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, who took on a night part-time job at a convenience store, is wearing a uniform and name tag at a convenience store in front of Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

This drew criticism from opposition parties. Recommending an AI startup to students who are losing jobs or struggling to find employment due to technological advances was pointed out as lacking empathy. Previously, during her convenience store part-time job experience on the 25th, Park faced criticism for recommending an 'unmanned convenience store,' with people asking if she intended to take away part-time workers' jobs.

Park Ki-nyung, deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, issued a statement on the 30th, saying, "(Park candidate) seems to enjoy crushing the dreams of youth, continuously making harsh remarks in front of young people every day," and strongly criticized, "She should be appointed as a youth job killer rather than a candidate for Seoul mayor."

He continued, "Meeting young people worried about jobs and seemingly teasing them by saying, 'I am leading the way to eliminate your jobs,' Park's behavior is now frightening," adding, "We seriously worry that her empathy has completely disappeared in front of her self-centered thinking. We hope Park stops crushing the dreams of youth and refrains from even mentioning the name 'youth.'"

On the same day, Heo Eun-ah, a lawmaker from the same party, wrote on Facebook, "Park, who caused confusion among self-employed people nationwide by proposing 'unmanned convenience stores,' has now suggested an 'AI translation startup' to graduate students in interpretation," sarcastically adding, "At this rate, she might propose installing dishwashers for mothers working in restaurants and announce a pledge to install stylers for laundry shop owners."

Former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok also targeted Park, criticizing, "Unless she dreams of being like Thanos who can snap his fingers and make half disappear, or dreams of cutting all jobs in half, she should not be talking about 'unmanned stores' or 'interpretation and translation AI' wherever she goes."

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