Business · Trade · 3 hrs ago
Chinese EV imports raise concern over 410,000 South Korean auto jobs
Experts warn Chinese EVs could affect South Korean auto jobs as imports put pressure on the country’s car-parts supply chain.
From January to July, Chinese-made vehicles accounted for 83.1% of South Korea’s imported electric cars, up from 21.1% in 2023.
The warning concerns employment for 410,000 auto-parts workers, as the industry shifts from combustion-engine vehicles to electric ones.
Many parts suppliers, including smaller subcontractors, are linked to the existing production system.
Automakers say producing an EV in South Korea costs about 10 million won more than producing a Chinese model, and have asked for a 4 million won production tax credit per vehicle.
The finance ministry is reviewing the proposal, and lawmakers may consider it this month in a parliamentary tax committee.
A South Korean supply-chain seminar warned that the growth of Chinese electric vehicle imports could affect jobs for 410,000 workers in the country’s auto-parts supply chain.
Chinese-made vehicles accounted for 83.1% of South Korea’s imported electric vehicles from January to July 2026, up from 21.1% in 2023.
A researcher said Chinese electric vehicles could weaken domestic production and accelerate the transition away from internal-combustion vehicles.
Industry representatives have asked the government for a production tax credit of 4 million won per electric vehicle.
South Korea’s finance ministry is reviewing a production tax credit, which could be discussed by a parliamentary tax subcommittee this month.
- Who
- South Korean auto-parts supply-chain workers and the domestic auto industry. Researchers at a Korea University seminar raised the concern.
- What
- The growth of Chinese electric vehicle imports could affect employment for 410,000 workers and weaken South Korea’s auto-parts supply chain.
- When
- The warning was made at a seminar on November 3, 2026. The import figures cover January to July 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Chinese-made vehicles made up 83.1% of South Korea’s imported electric vehicles in January-July, and researchers said the trend could weaken domestic production.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chinese electric vehicles held 9.2% of markets outside China.
Chinese-made vehicles accounted for 21.1% of South Korea’s imported electric vehicles.
Chinese electric vehicles held 51.2% of markets outside China.
Cho Chul presented the employment warning at a supply-chain policy seminar hosted by the Korea University Future Growth Research Institute.
Chinese-made vehicles made up 83.1% of South Korea’s imported electric vehicles.
- Potential employment impact
- 410,000 auto-parts supply-chain workers
- Chinese share of imported EVs
- 83.1% in South Korea, January-July 2026
- Chinese EV share outside China
- 51.2% in the first half of 2026
- Industry-requested production credit
- 4 million won per electric vehicle
- Reported cost difference
- Korean companies’ EV production costs are about 10 million won higher per vehicle than Chinese competitors’
What people are saying
Securing domestic industrial production, including electric vehicles, must be the top priority
A production tax credit for electric vehicles should be introduced