[Inside Chodong]Dark Factories and 'Resting' Youth

Manufacturing Plants Run 24/7
Youth "Job-Seeking Clock" Comes to a Halt

Factories that operate 24 hours without any human presence—so-called "dark factories"—have emerged as key players in the future of manufacturing innovation. The automotive industry is at the forefront of this transformation. In Korea, more than 80% of automobile manufacturing plants are automated, and robots are used in approximately 90% of body assembly processes. Starting this year, Hyundai Motor Group is introducing the humanoid robot "Atlas" into its manufacturing processes and is also planning the DF247 project—an unmanned factory that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The government has also set a goal to become the world's number one country in manufacturing AI transformation (AX) by 2030.

What happens when humans and robots compete for jobs? Recently, a ranking of jobs most likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) attracted significant attention among office workers. Microsoft identified interpreters, historians, and writers as occupations highly susceptible to AI adoption. In the private education sector, there is a rush to identify jobs that AI cannot replace. The challenge of earning a living remains an issue even in the age of AI.

One thing is certain: in the future, data and AI algorithms will become core assets for companies, rather than individual experience or know-how. Significant side effects are also expected. AI will naturally reduce entry-level positions and accelerate a preference for experienced workers. In the not-so-distant future, the next generation may have to seek survival amid "jobless growth" triggered by physical AI that liberates humanity from labor.

According to recent statistics, the number of young people who have given up job-seeking activities because they couldn't find the jobs they want—the so-called "resting" youth—has hit an all-time high. The Korea Employers Federation reported that, as of 2024, the number of people born between 1995 and 1999 classified as "resting" (aged 25 to 29 at the time) totaled 217,000. This is 2.6 times higher than the 84,000 "resting" individuals born between 1975 and 1979 (aged 25 to 29 in 2004), twenty years earlier.

The main reason is a "mismatch"—jobs exist, but not the ones people want. The rise of dark factories, which has come at a time when increasing the number of quality jobs is critical, is expected to worsen the polarization of employment. If large companies complete vertical integration through dark factories, small parts suppliers could become targets for elimination. Companies with the capacity to invest will see their productivity soar, but small businesses will lose competitiveness. The growth and employment structure centered on small and medium-sized enterprises will inevitably be shaken.

No one would disagree with the need to increase the number of quality jobs. The question is "how." We must quickly prepare to rebuild our rigid labor market with greater flexibility. In factories where robots work non-stop, the traditional "eight-hour day, five-day workweek" will no longer be relevant. We need to consider job-sharing through flexible work arrangements. Even the perceived stability of permanent positions cannot last forever in the face of technological change.

It is also necessary to ensure diverse production methods so that people can work whenever and wherever they want. For small businesses that currently lack the capacity to invest, efforts must be made to provide technological support and focus on nurturing roles favored by young people—such as robot programming, data analysis, and AI systems management.

After 63 years, "Labor Day" has been revived. Coincidentally, labor, management, and government are reportedly preparing a large-scale commemorative event. Hopefully, this will become the first step toward discussing a major transformation in the future labor market.

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