Samsung plans to recruit an average of 12,000 new employees a year in South Korea until 2030, as the conglomerate steps up efforts to lead in AI and boost its competitiveness in chips.

Samsung stated it will bring in 60,000 people and expand training programmes, with the view of focusing on key components businesses centred around semiconductors, the bio industry and AI “which has rapidly emerged as a core technology”.

Part of the plan includes expanding internship opportunities, which can lead to permanent positions and bring in young graduates.

The company also stated it will carry out various education contribution projects to solve the “social problem of youth employment”.

Samsung’s programmes related to youth education and mutual growth cooperation directly and indirectly create more than 8,000 jobs, the company added.

Fellow South Korean giants SK Group and Hyundai Motor Group also announced plans to hire thousands of workers, which appears to be a response to President Lee Jae Myung’s call to address the country’s declining youth employment.

Across all group companies, Samsung has hired about 10,000 people over the past 12 months, Business Korea stated.

Samsung alone employs some 125,000 people in South Korea.

*Additional reporting by Kavit Majithia