A demonstration of Atlas transporting automotive parts at Hyundai Motor Group’s exhibition booth at CES 2026. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor and Kia)
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s largest automaker is facing renewed labor tension as the Hyundai Motor labor union warned Thursday that it would strongly resist the deployment of robots on production lines without prior agreement, citing fears of job losses and factory downsizing.
In a statement circulated to members, the union said it believes the company is preparing to shift production volume to overseas plants where automation can be introduced more easily, leaving domestic factories increasingly idle.
“The final step would be the hollowing out of domestic plants,” the union said, arguing that vacant facilities would eventually be replaced by highly automated factories designed to operate with minimal human involvement.
The union pointed to internal discussions at Hyundai Motor Group’s Global Leaders Forum earlier this month, claiming the company had reviewed plans for so-called “dark factories” — facilities capable of operating 24 hours a day without lighting or human workers, relying entirely on artificial intelligence–driven robots.
Labor Pushback Emerges as Hyundai Moves Toward Humanoid Automation (Yonhap)
Such a vision, the union said, threatens to eliminate jobs across the production chain and destabilize the broader economy by weakening the balance between employment, consumption and supply.
Union leaders rejected criticism that their opposition reflects self-interest, saying workers cannot be expected to remain silent as robots are introduced “without alternatives” and production volumes are shifted abroad.
Earlier this month, the union reiterated that no humanoid robots — including Atlas, the model Hyundai plans to deploy at overseas plants — would be allowed on production lines without a formal labor-management agreement.
“Artificial intelligence–based robots are being introduced explicitly to cut labor costs,” the union said. “We clearly warn that any unilateral move without consent will not be tolerated.”
The confrontation highlights the growing strain between South Korea’s push toward advanced automation and long-standing labor protections, as manufacturers accelerate investments in robotics and artificial intelligence to stay competitive in the global auto industry.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
