U.S.-based tech giant Microsoft said Wednesday that it will lay off about 9,000 employees, the largest layoff since 2023.
According to local media reports, the move will affect less than 4 percent of its global workforce, which totals about 228,000 employees.
Microsoft has had several rounds of layoffs this year, including a nearly 1-percent cut of employees in January, a layoff of over 6,000 in May and at least 300 more in June.
For the quarter ending March 31, Microsoft's revenue was reported as 70.07 billion U.S. dollars, representing a 13-percent increase year-over-year, which exceeded analysts' expectations. The company's net income also surpassed estimates, reaching 25.82 billion dollars, or 3.46 dollars per share.
Currently, Microsoft is streamlining management and using artificial intelligence tools to enhance employees' work efficiency. Its executives said earlier this year that 20 to 30 percent of Microsoft's code is generated by AI, while the company is making big investments in AI facilities.
Microsoft to lay off around 9,000 employees
Microsoft to lay off around 9,000 employees
Microsoft to lay off around 9,000 employees
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.
The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.
"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.
"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.
ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle
