{
  "id": 12833963,
  "title": "Bus, taxi workers feel vulnerable over self-driving future",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/bus-taxi-workers-feel-vulnerable-over-self-driving-future",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-08T09:32:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20261008/bus-taxi-workers-feel-vulnerable-over-self-driving-future"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul's initiative to increase the use of autonomous buses and taxis has sparked concerns about the future of workers in the transportation industry. Unionized drivers are advocating for enhanced protections and more influence in a transition that might eventually jeopardize their employment. City officials assert that the technology will initially tackle driver shortages rather than replace workers. However, union representatives demand clear insights into their future job security, passenger safety, and liability in case of an accident. According to a Seoul bus union official named Yoo, \"Self-driving technology should be limited to assisting human drivers, not replacing them.\" \"Operating without humans is neither possible nor desirable,\" he emphasized. Yoo explained that drivers' duties go beyond merely steering and braking, encompassing passenger inquiries, preventing door-related accidents, and managing unforeseen situations. He backed technology that could help them with dangers like drowsiness and blind spots, but questioned whether the policy trajectory of substituting human workers is the right move.",
  "summary": "Seoul’s push to expand the use of autonomous buses and taxis is raising questions about the future of transport workers, with unionized drivers calling for stronger safeguards and a greater say in a transition that could eventually threaten their jobs. While city officials say the technology will initially help address driver shortages rather than displace workers, union representatives want…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul's autonomous vehicle initiative raises concerns for bus and taxi workers.",
    "Unionized drivers push for protections and influence in transitioning industry.",
    "Self-driving tech should assist, not replace, human drivers according to union official."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Bus, taxi workers feel vulnerable over self-driving future",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/bus-taxi-workers-feel-vulnerable-over-self-driving-future-12837815",
        "published": "2026-10-08T09:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}