[2025 Women Forum] Vice Chairman Joo Hyunghwan: "AI Innovation Will Usher in a New Era of Women's Great Transformation"

Emphasizing a Fundamental Shift in Work Styles and a Culture of Shared Caregiving

Joo Hyunghwan, Vice Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, emphasized on November 6 that for more women to fully demonstrate their potential, it is necessary to drive a fundamental transformation of institutions and society through technological innovation such as artificial intelligence (AI), rather than merely supplementing and improving existing childcare support systems.

Joo Hyung-hwan, Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, is delivering an encouragement speech at the "2025 Women Leaders Forum" hosted by The Asia Business Daily at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 6, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the "2025 Women Leaders Forum" hosted by The Asia Business Daily at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, Joo delivered an encouragement speech in which he presented two concrete strategies to realize this year’s forum theme, "Women, Lead the Great Transformation": a fundamental shift in the way we work, and a transition toward gender equality in the workplace and a culture of shared caregiving at home.

Joo noted, "Many women find it difficult to realize their potential due to the burdens of childcare and housework," and added, "Last year, policy efforts focused on three key initiatives-work-family balance, alleviating childcare burdens, and housing support-combined with additional support from companies, led to positive changes such as a rebound in the total fertility rate."

He went on to stress that, in order to sustain these positive changes, the foremost priority should be a fundamental transformation in the way we work, driven by AI technological innovation. Joo explained, "AI can analyze the circumstances of workers, family environments, and company needs to suggest optimal work patterns, laying the groundwork for flexible work arrangements such as staggered working hours, remote work, and hybrid work." He added, "The government will introduce institutional innovations, such as the right to request flexible work arrangements for pregnancy and childcare situations, unless there are special circumstances." He further stated, "It is necessary to evolve into a 'Work and Capability Building 2.0' phase, where flexible work becomes the norm through the convergence of technology and institutional support."

Joo highlighted that this transformation in the way we work forms the foundation for advancing gender equality in the workplace and fostering a shared caregiving culture at home. Citing his visit to three Nordic countries in March as an example, he said, "In these countries, shared caregiving between spouses, rather than one-sided childcare, was the key to maintaining high female employment rates." He continued, "Korea should also actively support men's participation in childcare by expanding parental leave benefits and paternity leave, and promote a culture of shared caregiving by making flexible work arrangements more widespread."

He also mentioned the need to expand incentives to encourage active corporate participation. This includes increasing tax incentives for companies that excel in work-family balance and incorporating related criteria into ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosure standards. In addition, he stated that the government will strengthen policy support to ease the burden of childrearing by gradually implementing free education, expanding child allowances, and improving access to daycare centers and childcare services.

Joo concluded, "When the technological potential of AI is combined with institutional support, it will lay the foundation for gender equality in the workplace and a culture of shared caregiving at home, opening the door to a new era where women can fully realize their potential and take the lead in society." He emphasized, "This can also serve as a turning point in addressing demographic challenges such as low birthrates and an aging population."