TOKYO — Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, stated on Wednesday that while building new semiconductor manufacturing facilities is inevitable to meet surging global demand, the South Korean conglomerate is evaluating multiple locations for its next-generation fabs.
Speaking to reporters following a Korea-Japan special session at the Nikkei Forum held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Chey addressed questions regarding the company's expansion plans after the completion of its four planned fabs at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster.
"With semiconductor demand continuously rising, we inevitably have to expand somewhere," Chey said. "Finding the right locations has become an immediate homework assignment for us."
Significantly, Chey did not rule out the possibility of overseas expansion. "If local infrastructure is insufficient, we might have to consider international options," he noted. "We cannot simply insist on building exclusively in South Korea. The market could react quite differently in the future."
He emphasized that massive infrastructure—including vast land, reliable power grids, abundant water supply, and a skilled workforce—remains the critical prerequisite for any new site selection.
Chey’s remarks come amid growing speculation in political circles that South Korea’s major chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, are considering massive investments in the Honam (Jeolla) and Chungcheong regions. This aligns with President Lee Jae-myung’s recent hints at a large-scale investment project aimed at balanced regional growth, though tech giants have officially denied any finalized plans.
"For now, our primary focus remains squarely on constructing the Yongin Cluster," Chey added, stressing a comprehensive review process.
In addition, Chey signaled an expanding partnership with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, stating that their cooperation would continue to evolve to foster a broader artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
Regarding growing calls for the redistribution of excess semiconductor profits, Chey noted that SK's management philosophy centers on stakeholders' happiness, which encompasses shareholders, employees, and the general public. "Whether through higher tax contributions or creating more jobs, we will comply with established social rules while seeking new solutions for future challenges," he concluded.
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