A new study has shown the rapid introduction of robots in South Korean industries including the auto sector is lowering the growth in hires as well as wages.

According to a Bank of Korea(BOK) report on Wednesday, the number of industrial robots in operation in the country has jumped eightfold from 38-thousand in 2000 to 300-thousand in 2018. The number of robots sold during the same period rose by sevenfold.

This is higher than the three- to fourfold increase in both figures in the global tally, showing the relatively fast speed at which robots were adopted industrially in South Korea.

The central bank attributes the swift penetration to lower global costs for robots while also noting the high use of robot technology in Korea's staple industries of electric, electronics, chemicals and transportation.

The penetration rate is especially found to be high in autos, electronic parts and computer sectors.

The BOK report forecasts robots will continue to play a large role with technological advancements in the post-COVID-19 era, calling for efforts to ensure robot-induced productivity will lead to more jobs for people.