South Korean official proposes 'citizen dividend' payouts from AI windfall — markets spooked by suggestion AI revenue should be redistributed to citizens

A South Korean official suggested using excess tax revenue from the AI semiconductor boom to fund a citizen dividend, then clarified he meant tax revenue rather than a new profit levy.

The comment sparked a sharp but brief Kospi selloff before markets recovered, highlighting investor sensitivity to state intervention in AI-driven gains.

Separately, Samsung’s wage and bonus talks with its union remained unresolved, with strike action possible if mediation fails.

The labor dispute raises the risk of production disruptions and added volatility for Samsung and the broader market.