SK Group explained

SK Group
Native Name:	에스케이그룹
Type:	Private
Founder:	Chey Jong-gun
Location:	Seoul, South Korea
Area Served:	Worldwide
Industry:	Conglomerate
Products:	Energy and chemicals, telecommunications, information technology, trading and services, semiconductors

SK Group (Korean: SK그룹, 에스케이그룹) is a South Korean multinational manufacturing and services conglomerate headquartered in Seoul. A chaebol (Korean family-owned conglomerate), SK Group is second largest such conglomerate by revenue in South Korea, after Samsung Group. Through a number of subsidiaries, it is engaged in various businesses, including manufacture of chemicals and petrochemicals, semiconductors, flash memory and miscellaneous information technology, as well providing telecommunications services worldwide among its other less notable ventures.

The conglomerate is composed of 186 subsidiaries and affiliates that share the SK brand name and the group's management culture, named SKMS (SK Management System). It changed its name from Sunkyong Group (Korean: 선경그룹, Hanja: 鮮京그룹) to SK Group in 1998. The group is controlled by estate of Chey Tae-won through a holding company, SK Inc. The cornerstone of SK Group is its energy and chemicals division.^[1]

While its largest businesses are primarily involved in the energy, petroleum, and chemical industries, the group also owns the nation's largest wireless mobile phone service provider SK Telecom, and provides services in construction, marketing, local telephone communications, high-speed internet, and wireless broadband WiBro. Since 2012, SK Hynix, one of the world's largest random access memory and semiconductor manufacturers, has also been majority owned by the group.

History

Formation and early production

As with many other chaebols, SK Group's chairmanship was 'inherited' from father to son: from its founder the late Chey Jong-hyon to its present chairman Chey Tae-won (eldest son). Chey Tae-won was married to the daughter of the former South Korean President Roh Tae-woo until 2015.^[2]

SK Group began when the current founders acquired Sunkyong Textiles (founded during the Japanese rule as a joint venture between two Japanese companies, Senman Chutan and Kyoto-based Kyoto Orimono Company) from South Korean government as abandoned property of Japan in 1953.^[3] In 1958, the company manufactured Korea's first polyester fiber on company grounds. It established Sunkyong Fibers Ltd. in July 1969, and started to produce original yarn. In 1973, SK then established Sunkyong Oil, beginning a vertical integration strategy to manage production, "From Petroleum to Fibers". That same year, the company acquired the Walkerhill Hotel.

In 1976, Sunkyong Corporation received an international trading company license from the Indian government.^[4] In December 1980 SK purchased privately run Korea National Oil, making it Korea's fifth largest conglomerate.^[5]

In January 1988, crude oil was imported for processing to Korea from Yemen's Marib oil field.

Growing up years

In June 1994, SK entered Korea's telecommunications business by becoming Korea Mobile Telecommunication Service's largest shareholder.^[6] In January 1996, SK Telecom launched Korea's first commercial CDMA cellular phone service in Incheon and Bucheon.^[7]

In 1998, Management re-branded Sunkyong to SK.^[8] In 1999, SK Chemicals developed third-generation (non cross resistant) platinum-complex anti-cancer agent.^[9] Also, by focusing its research and development efforts on life sciences, SK Corporation developed YKP1358, a new drug candidate for schizophrenia, in 2003.^{[10] [11]}

In 2002, SK Telecom successfully launched the world's first commercial CDMA 1X EV-DO technology, allowing it to offer 3G telecommunications service.^{[12] [13]} In 2004, SK Telecom enabled satellite DMB service by deploying the world's first DMB satellite.^[14] Moreover, in 2006, SK began revitalizing the 3.5-generation mobile phone market and in the following year, completed the construction of the national HSDPA network. In May 2006, SK Telecom started the world's first commercial 3.5-generation HSDPA service, featuring high-quality video telephony and data transmission, and global roaming access.^[15]

In 2005, SK Networks opened China's first two wholly foreign-owned, gas stations in Shenyang. Then, after exploring Brazilian mining area BM-C-8, SK Corporation developed an oil field where it confirmed the existence of more than 50 million barrels of oil deposits.^[16]

SK Gas began developing resources overseas when it participated in two mining areas to the west of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula in March 2006. In early 2006, SK Networks also developed Ecol-Green, a biodegradable plastic material. Incheon Oil officially started operations using the SK name in March 2006.^[17] SK Energy is currently engaged in 27 oil fields in 15 countries worldwide

SKC imported propylene oxide (PO, a chemical used in manufacturing polyurethane) production technology from Germany in May 2006. It is scheduled to produce 100,000 tons of PO from 2008.^[18]

At the end of 2005, SK Corp. developed a lithium-ion battery separator (LiBS) for the first time in Korea, and started selling the product in 2006. In July 2007, SK Group adopted a holding company structure.^{[19] [20]} Under the re-organization, SK's main entity, SK Corporation, was split into an investment company, now SK Inc. and an operating company, now SK Energy. The subsidiary companies that now operate under the central SK Inc. umbrella include: SK Energy, SK Telecom, SK Networks, SKC, SK E&S, SK Shipping and K Power.

Recent years

In February 2017, SK acquired the polyethylene acrylic acid business of Dow Chemical Company for $370 million,^[21] and planned to increase battery production capacity from 1.9 to 3.9 GWh per year at the end of 2018, supplying Kia and Mercedes.^[22]

In July 2022, SK Group announced a $22 billion investment in the United States semiconductor, green energy bioscience and other technology industries. In total, SK Group will invest over $52 billion in the United States by 2025.^[23]

Subsidiaries

Holdings

• SK Inc. is a holding company which resulted when SK Corporation was reorganized on July 1, 2007, into a holding company and operating company, SK Inc. and SK Energy, respectively. SK Inc. is a part of the SK Group that focuses on 4 core business interests, High-tech materials, Bio, Green and Digital. The SK Group is composed of 186 affiliate companies that share the SK brand and culture. In 2021, SK Group recorded combined revenues of $133 billion, with exports contributing $50 billion of that total. SK continues to expand its global presence, with more than 117,590 employees who work from 473 offices worldwide.

Energy and chemicals

• SK Innovation is a South Korean enterprise formed as part of the July 1, 2007 reorganization of SK Corporation into a holding company and operating company, SK Inc. and SK Energy, respectively. In 2011, the petroleum business was spun off to become SK Energy. Simultaneously the chemical business was spun off to become SK Innovation. SK Energy was founded in 1962 as Korea's first oil refinery. In 1982, changed company name to Yukong. SK Energy is an energy and petrochemical company with 5,000 employees, KRW 23.65 trillion in sales and 26 offices spanning the globe. The company is Korea's largest (and Asia's fourth largest) refiner with a refining capacity of 1.15 million barrels per day, as of 2006. SK Energy is engaged in exploration and development activities in 26 oil / gas blocks in 14 nations worldwide.^{[24] [25] [26]}
• SKC, headquartered in Seoul, is the leading Korean company in chemical and film industry. SKC was founded and established in 1976 as previous name of Sunkyong Chemicals Ltd (Korean: 선경화학 (주)). SKC developed polyester films firstly in Korea, by its own efforts. With its main plant and R&D center located in Suwon, South Korea, it also operates large capacity of film plant in Covington, Georgia, United States.

Information and communications technology

• SK Telecom
• SK Square is a portfolio management company.
• SK Inc. C&C was established in 1991 and is currently one of the "Big Three" IT services companies in Korea. SK C&C has business interests across IT services, including telecommunications, banking & finance, government, public, logistics, and other fields.

Semiconductor and materials

• SK Hynix is the world's 3rd-largest semiconductor manufacturer and the 2nd-largest in South Korea after Samsung Electronics which is the leader in the global semiconductor industry. SK Hynix was founded in 1983 as "Hyundai Electronics", which is the origin of its name "Hynix", and merged to SK Group in 2012 when SK Telecom became the major shareholder. The major products are DRAM, flash memory, and many other semiconductor materials. While its headquarter is located at Icheon, Gyeonggido, it also runs a large production line at Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do.
• SK Siltron is the only semiconductor wafer manufacturer in Korea, and it has grown hand in hand with the semiconductor industry over the last 35 plus years. Armed with a record-long history of mass production and accumulated know-how, the company expands its production capacity in a preemptive manner and continues to strengthen its manufacturing and technology competitiveness. At the same time, the company is expanding its business portfolio to include emerging areas such as SiC wafers. This lays a strong foundation for SK Siltron to grow to become one of the world’s best semiconductor materials players both in production volume and profitability.

Logistics, services and bio

• SK Biopharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and drug development company. It discovered solriamfetol.^[27]
• SK pharmteco is a global contract development and manufacturing organization specializing in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates and viral vectors for cell and gene therapy for the pharmaceutical industry. SK Pharmteco operates six facilities in Europe, North America and Korea.
• SK Ecoplant is a Korean construction company founded and established in 1977 with a previous name of Sunkyong Construction (Korean: 선경 건설), headquartered in Gwanhun-dong Jongno-gu, Seoul. Its brands include SK View, SK Hub, and Apelbaum. The company's CEO is Ki Haeng Cho. Industries: Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power, Environmental Protection, Industrial, Civil, Building, Housing. Services:Feasibility Study, EPC Service, Project Management, Operations & Maintenance.

Management system

SK's subsidiary companies all operate under the SK Management System (SKMS) which was developed, articulated and enhanced by SK's Chairman, Chey Tae-won.

On April 7, 2008, SK Group launched a marketing and management company named "SK Marketing & Company" to pursue Chairman Chey's vision.

See also

• Chaebol
• Economy of South Korea
• H.A.V.E. Online
• Fallen Age

Notes and References

1. Web site: SK Group Encyclopedia.com . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200326055535/https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/sk-group . 2020-03-26 . 2020-03-25 . www.encyclopedia.com.
2. Book: Ungson & Wong. Global Strategic Management. 2008. M.E. Sharpe. 9780765628978. 2016-03-21. 2020-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20200819145914/https://books.google.com/books?id=-Mv7U69x9mcC&pg=PA462. live.
3. Book: Mee Kim, Eun . Big Business—Strong State . 1999 . SUNY Press . 978-0-7914-3209-9 . 91 .
4. News: Diversifying into the Global Marketplace . Korean Integrated News Database System . August 30, 2001 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080311012550/http://www.kinds.or.kr/main/search/searchcontent.php?docid=03100201.20010830KTM0007 . March 11, 2008 .
5. Book: Chang, Se-jin . Financial Crisis and Transformation of Korean Business Groups . limited . 2003 . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-81435-5 . 70 .
6. Web site: SKtelecom.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20080428214434/http://www.sktelecom.com/eng/jsp/sktelecom/ourhistory/History.jsp. dead. April 28, 2008.
7. Book: Kearney (Firm), Kearney, Inc, A. T . Sustaining Corporate Growth: Harnessing Your Strategic Strengths . 2000 . CRC Press . 978-1-57444-289-2 . 75 . registration .
8. Web site: Sunkyong Sets Sails as SK Group Today . 2008-01-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080311012527/http://www.kinds.or.kr/main/search/searchcontent.php?docid=03100101.19980105KRM0008 . March 11, 2008 .
9. News: Korea's first locally developed drug gets KFDA approval. Korean Integrated News Database System. July 15, 1999. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080311012532/http://www.kinds.or.kr/main/search/searchcontent.php?docid=03100101.19990715KRM0040. March 11, 2008.
10. News: SK gets nod to test Schizophrenia drug. Korean Integrated News Database System. September 7, 2003. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080311012545/http://www.kinds.or.kr/main/search/searchcontent.php?docid=03100101.20031007KRM0019. March 11, 2008.
11. News: SK Corporation Announces Another IND, Schizophrenia Drug YKP1358 . October 8, 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110517001709/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-108638092.html . dead . May 17, 2011 .
12. News: South Korea the World's First 3G Network. 3GNewsroom.com. May 31, 2001. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080310183835/http://www.3gnewsroom.com/3g_news/may_01/news_0709.shtml. March 10, 2008.
13. News: SK Starts New Generation Mobile Phone Service. Korean Integrated News Database System. January 27, 2002. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080311012556/http://www.kinds.or.kr/main/search/searchcontent.php?docid=03100201.20020127KTM0032. March 11, 2008.
14. News: Questions, Expectations over DMB Service. Korea.net. March 20, 2004. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080310221934/http://www.kois.go.kr/news/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20040319010&part=107&SearchDay=. March 10, 2008.
15. Web site: SK Telecom Selects LGE, Nortel UMTS/HSDPA Wireless Broadband Technology . 2008-01-23 . 2011-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718015934/http://www.umts-forum.org/content/view/984/85/ . live .
16. News: SK Energy Acquires Oil Production Rights in Brazil . . July 30, 2007 . 2008-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080310212841/http://korea.net/news/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20070730019&part=107&SearchDay= . 2008-03-10 . dead .
17. Web site: SK Corp. buys Inchon to raise oil exports . 2008-01-23 . 2008-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080316142536/http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/09/04/bloomberg/sxsk.php . live .
18. News: Uhde will build SKC HPPO unit . . May 22, 2006 . January 25, 2008 . March 10, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080310234339/http://www.icis.com/Articles/2006/05/19/2014111/uhde-will-build-skc-hppo-unit.html . live .
19. News: SK Corp to split as adopts holding co. structure . Reuters . 2008-01-23 . April 11, 2007 . 2009-01-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090112024024/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKSEO31873720070411 . live .
20. Web site: SK Launches Holding Company System . 2008-01-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930011204/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2007/07/123_5759.html . 2007-09-30. 2007-07-02 .
21. https://www.reuters.com/article/deals-day-idUSL4N1FN2KN Reuters
22. Web site: SK Innovation is doubling its battery production for electric vehicles to 4GWh/year to support demand from Mercedes and others. 6 March 2017. Electrek. 6 March 2017. 7 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170307050006/https://electrek.co/2017/03/06/sk-innovation-expanding-battery/. live.
23. Web site: Biden hails $22 bln investment by S. Korea's SK Group . 2022-07-27 . sg.news.yahoo.com . en-SG.
24. News: China Aviation faces 3rd creditor lawsuit. International Herald Tribune. February 24, 2005. September 3, 2007. March 16, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080316142500/http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/23/bloomberg/sxsk.php. live.
25. News: New probe hits SK chief. BBC News. September 22, 2003. September 3, 2007. June 8, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040608173724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3128154.stm. live.
26. Web site: Byung-wook. Kim. 2022-01-26. SKC bets $80m for next-generation EV battery materials. 2022-01-26. The Korea Herald. en.
27. News: Ji-young. Sohn. SK Biopharmaceuticals' narcolepsy drug on track to hitting US market. The Korea Herald. 5 March 2018. en. 16 April 2018. 16 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180416022520/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180305000684. live.