S. Korea: Forced resignations of software developers spike 72% following ChatGPT's introduction

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“Software developers facing forced resignations up 72% after chatgpt’s arrival" 23 January 2025
[Unofficial translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]
According to an analysis of employment administration statistics from the Ministry of Employment and Labour published by e-Daily on the 22nd, the number of software developers (full-time employees) who resigned due to managerial recommendations or other forced measures surged dramatically from 9,780 in 2022 to 15,100 in 2023. (…) This marks a 72.2% increase (7,058 developers) compared to the period before the introduction of ChatGPT, with the figure rising sharply until November last year. During the same period, the total number of recommended resignations across all occupations rose by just 0.4% (3,055 people), from 710,208 to 713,263.
… Despite this, the number of software developer positions actually increased.
… Experts suggest that companies are focusing on reducing lower-skilled developers while expanding their skilled workforce.