In South Korea, management staff typically make around US$85,000 annually.(image: SK Innovation)
SEOUL, Jul. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean electric battery industry is at stake as China continues to lure professionals and experts.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), China’s largest battery provider, was reported to have contacted South Korean professionals in the electric battery industry, offering to triple their current salary as part of their recruitment pitch.
“The company reportedly proposed an annual salary of US$230,000-$260,000 to management level staff,” said one industry official. “The company has been approaching individuals privately through headhunters.”
In South Korea, management staff typically make around US$85,000 annually.
Experts are concerned about a new brain drain as Chinese companies are tapping into the South Korean labor market. In 2017, Chinese electric car producer BYD made an official post about hiring South Korean battery experts.
Last year, one executive director at Samsung SDI Co. decided to join Apple as a global representative for battery development.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
