SK Group’s Strategic Pivot: Why the SK Square Chey Jae-won Appointment Matters for AI
Chey Jae-won, brother of SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, is appointed to lead SK Square. This strategic move signals a major shift toward AI and semiconductor investment.
They've shaken hands, but the gloves are coming off. SK Group is positioning a heavyweight at the center of its investment engine. Chey Jae-won, the younger brother of Chairman Chey Tae-won, has been tapped to lead SK Square, signalling a massive push to solidify the conglomerate's dominance in AI and semiconductors.
Strategic Impact of SK Square Chey Jae-won Appointment
According to industry sources on December 29, 2025, Chey Jae-won, the Executive Vice Chairman of SK Innovation, will take the helm at SK Square alongside President Kim Jung-kyu starting early next year. Spun off in 2021, SK Square serves as the critical intermediate holding company for the global chip giant SK hynix.
Chey is a 30-year veteran within the group, having joined in 1994. His most recent mission involved stabilizing the sluggish battery business at SK On amidst a cooling EV market. This latest appointment is seen as a strategic realignment following a major executive reshuffle in October, aimed at accelerating restructuring efforts across the group's massive portfolio.
Focusing on AI and Semiconductors
The move reflects SK’s desire to leverage Chey’s deep technological expertise to boost SK Square’s corporate value. By tightening the link between the investment arm and SK hynix, the group aims to ensure seamless investment in AI infrastructure, a sector where they currently hold a competitive edge through HBM technology.
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