SK Group has moved three vice chairmen to SK hynix, an unusual concentration of senior leadership at the chipmaker as it expands its global business and navigates a more complex geopolitical landscape.
So Jin-woo, who has overseen SK’s China operations; Yu Jeong-joon, who has led its North American operations; and Lee Hyung-hee have transferred from holding company SK Inc. to SK hynix, industry sources said Friday.
Jang Dong-hyun, vice chairman of SK Ecoplant, is now the only non-family vice chairman remaining outside of SK hynix.
Rather than semiconductor technologists, the three are veteran executives with extensive experience in overseas business and external affairs. So has led SK’s China business, while Yu previously headed SK E&S and SK On and worked on the group’s North American energy and battery operations. Lee has held senior posts at SK Telecom and SK Broadband and has overseen government relations and communications across the group.
The three are also reportedly conducting one-on-one interviews with about 250 SK hynix executives. The company said the appointments are intended to draw on their global experience as SK hynix works on its longer-term management strategy and corporate vision.
“Executives with diverse experience and extensive expertise will help set SK hynix’s management direction and support the development of the company’s vision,” an SK Group official said.
The appointments come as SK hynix faces an increasingly complex overseas business environment. The semiconductor industry has become more exposed to US-China technology tensions, supply-chain policy and pressure for localized production in major markets.
“With SK hynix working more closely with global companies, executives with extensive overseas experience and networks are likely to have a bigger role to play,” an industry official said. “That appears to be part of the thinking behind the appointments.”
mjh@heraldcorp.com
