▲ SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won speaks during an interview after attending the Korea-Japan Special Session at the Nikkei Forum
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said on Wednesday that the surging demand for semiconductors has accelerated planning for the period after the construction of SK Hynix's Yongin semiconductor cluster, and that the company is considering various locations, keeping both domestic regions and overseas possibilities open.
Speaking to reporters at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo after attending the Korea-Japan Special Session at the Nikkei Forum, Chey responded to a question about the location of the next plant after the completion of the fourth phase of the Yongin cluster, saying, "As semiconductor demand continues to grow, we cannot avoid expanding somewhere, and preparing for it has become a pressing task."
He regarding the possibility of SK Hynix building plants overseas, he said, "If it is not feasible in Korea, wouldn't we have to consider overseas locations?" He added, "It might not be a matter of 'we must build only in Korea.' The market could react completely differently later on."
He continued, "To build a factory somewhere, an immense amount of infrastructure is required," adding, "Power, land, talent, and water must all be fully secured."
Chey's remarks are drawing attention as they coincide with recent reports that political circles and others are reviewing plans for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to expand their semiconductor facility investments into the Honam and Chungcheong regions.
This comes amid speculation that the semiconductor industry is being eyed to play a role in balanced regional development, especially after President Lee Jae-myung announced during his recent first-anniversary press conference that he would soon unveil a large-scale investment project to bring about a major shift in the nation's growth strategy.
However, both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have drawn a line regarding discussions with the government, stating they "know nothing about it," and saying "nothing has been decided" regarding potential investments in provincial areas.
Chey also hinted at a multi-faceted review of the next plant's location, saying, "If customers or other countries believe they can offer us significant benefits, we can also make demands. How we act upon receiving those demands is a test of our capability. There is also a need to ensure the minimum satisfaction of our stakeholders."
He added, "We will make a decision on where and how to build by taking everything into comprehensive consideration. For now, our focus is on building the Yongin cluster."
Regarding cooperation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who recently visited South Korea, Chey said, "I believe the scope of our cooperation will continue to evolve in the future." He added, "Jensen Huang and I agreed that an ecosystem where artificial intelligence (AI) can continue to grow is needed, and that Nvidia's leadership alone is not enough, requiring more collaboration."
Regarding demands for the distribution of excess semiconductor profits, he mentioned, "Our management objective is to 'make stakeholders happy.' Stakeholders naturally include shareholders, our members, business partners, and, in a broader sense, the entire nation."
He continued, "The methodology of how we share happiness can differ. Paying more taxes or creating more investments and jobs is also important. If unavoidable rules are set, we need to follow and apply them well."
However, he noted, "If other problems or side effects arise in the future, we must continue to find new ways to resolve those issues socially," sharing his thoughts on the introduction of new systems such as excess profit sharing.
Chey, who has consistently emphasized the importance of economic cooperation between South Korea and Japan, proposed building a "big tent" to bring cooperation agendas together during a discussion at the Nikkei Forum on Tuesday. He suggested that if the two nations actively join hands in sectors like semiconductors, AI, and energy, they could leap forward as "rule makers" in the new international order.
He shared that South Korean business circles, including SK Group, are making or seeking investments in Japan through Japanese investment funds, while Japan is also investing in South Korean companies and ventures. He emphasized, "It is important to foster a climate where the market is more integrated and operates as one."
(Photo courtesy of SK Group, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.