South Korea Proposes 'Citizen Dividend' Funded by AI Industry Excess Profits on May 12

According to South Korea’s Presidential Office Policy Director Kim Yong-beom, on May 12, the government proposed establishing a “citizen dividend” funded by excess profits generated by the artificial intelligence industry. Kim stated on Facebook that AI infrastructure-driven revenues stem from the nation’s decades of industrial foundation-building, and a portion should be redistributed to the general public through policy mechanisms. He noted that while AI development could drive sustainable economic growth, excess profits would likely concentrate among semiconductor company shareholders, core engineers, and asset holders, leaving the middle class with only indirect benefits. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix shares fell over 5% following the announcement, with South Korea’s composite stock index declining more than 5%.