SK Group Advances Younger Executives... Strengthens AI-Centric Organization

SUPEX Council Convened on December 4
Executive Appointments and Restructuring Plans for Next Year Shared
20% of New Executives Born in the 1980s

Following the recent appointments of new presidents, SK Group has implemented executive appointments and an organizational restructuring. With a core focus on strengthening field-oriented execution, organizational efficiency, and nurturing next-generation leaders, the group is accelerating the reorganization of its future growth pillars.

SK Seorin Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

SK Group announced on December 4 that it had convened the SUPEX Council to share and discuss executive appointments and organizational restructuring decisions made by each affiliate. Previously, in October, SK Group had proactively carried out appointments for its presidents.

This round of executive appointments and organizational restructuring, like the previous presidential appointments, is centered on three key objectives: enhancing field-oriented execution, driving organizational innovation and efficiency, and fostering next-generation leaders. The focus is on improving execution capabilities across affiliates and strengthening the foundation for mid- to long-term growth.

Kim Jounghwa, CEO of SK Energy, will concurrently serve as CEO of SK Geocentric. The aim is to integrate and optimize the petroleum and chemical value chains and to strengthen synergies between the two companies.

In this round of executive appointments and organizational restructuring, the group has bolstered field execution by appointing individuals with proven business and technical expertise at each affiliate and by advancing younger talent, signaling a bold generational shift. For 2026, 85 new executives have been appointed. Of these, 17-representing 20%-were born in the 1980s, and more than 60% (54 individuals) are in their 40s. Among eight newly appointed female executives, six were born in the 1980s.

The average age of newly appointed executives is 48.8 years, younger than last year's average of 49.4 years. The youngest new executive is Ahn Hongbeom, who oversees Network AI and Digital Transformation (AT/DT) at SK Telecom and was born in 1983.

SK Group plans to enhance organizational efficiency across the group and to build a "small but strong" organization by streamlining the executive structure, thereby preparing for future growth.

While maintaining operational soundness, affiliates have also reorganized to accelerate the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), a key area for future growth. SK Hynix has carried out a restructuring to establish regional AI research centers in order to solidify its global technological leadership, with President Ahn Hyun concurrently overseeing this role. SK Hynix will also establish a "Global Infrastructure" organization to strengthen global manufacturing competitiveness.

SK Innovation has established the AX Division directly under the CEO, while SK Ecoplant is launching an AI Solutions business organization that integrates its solutions business (architecture) and energy business (including AI data centers).

An SK Group representative stated, "We plan to accelerate fundamental and tangible changes by strengthening field execution, ensuring operational soundness, and nurturing next-generation leaders. We expect this to serve as a foundation for driving future growth at each affiliate."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.