SK reshuffles, emphasizes green social responsibility

Park Jung-ho [SK HOLDINGS]

Yu Jeong-joon [SK HOLDINGS]

SK Holdings, the holding company for the conglomerate, promoted two CEOs — from SK Telecom and energy affiliate SK E&S — to vice chairmen and revamped the structure of its top decision-making body to attach more focus to environmental and social responsibility.

Park Jung-ho, who was CEO and President of SK Telecom, will double as vice chairman for chipmaker SK hynix while retaining the top post at the mobile carrier.

“Vice Chairman Park Jung-ho, who specializes in internet and communication technology, is expected to create synergy with SK hynix CEO Lee Seok-hee, an expert on semiconductors with a background from Intel,” SK said in a statement.

Park and Lee's roles won’t change dramatically, according to an SK spokesperson, since Park has served as chairman of the board of SK hynix.

Park reportedly played a critical role in acquiring SK hynix nine years ago.

Yu Jeong-joon, who was CEO and president of SK E&S, was tapped as vice chairman of the same unit.

“Vice Chairman Yu can draw on his expertise in overseas business and the overall energy industry to boost [SK E&S’s] global presence in renewable energy and energy solution,” the holdings company said.

The president post will be filled by Choo Hyeong-wook, an executive vice president of E&S.

Yum Yong-seop, who held the position of head of SK Research Institute, was also promoted to president level. Yum is expected to offer insights on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, the company said.

The conglomerate created a new governance committee to better handle the ESG issue for its Supex Council. The council is SK’s top management organization and has the CEOs of major SK affiliates as members.

The new committee will be headed by President Yoon Jin-won, who was formerly in charge of handling compliance for the council.

The council also disbanded its energy committee. Kim Jun, CEO and president of SK Innovation, will take the helm of an environment subcommittee for the new governance committee.

Vice Chairman Park will take over the council’s ICT Committee.

“The changes are intended to give foresight on ESG issues and lay out a road map for future growth driver industries such as bio, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.”

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]