This article was displayed on the ChosunBiz MoneyMove (MM) site at 2:54 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2026.
As SK Group holds a preliminary bid on the 23rd to sell a minority stake in the Ulsan artificial intelligence (AI) data center, the sale is expected to move faster than initially planned. It is reported that a plan to select a preferred bidder right away without choosing a shortlist of qualified preliminary candidates is likely.
According to the investment banking (IB) industry on the 23rd, SK Group will hold a preliminary bid that day to sell up to 49% equity in the Ulsan AI data center. The transaction size is estimated to reach 2 trillion won.
Bidders said to be participating in the preliminary bid that day are global private equity fund (PEF) managers KKR and Brookfield Asset Management, and domestic manager IMM Investment. Macquarie Asset Management reportedly reviewed the acquisition but withdrew midway.
In particular, IMM Invest, which drew attention as a "powerhouse" after acquiring half the equity in SK Innovation's Boryung LNG terminal last year, brought in Shinhan Bank as an ally to compete with global managers with strong financial power. Shinhan Bank is said to provide about 1 trillion won through acquisition financing and a bridge loan.
Meanwhile, regarding the minority-stake sale deal for Ulsan GPS and SK Multi-Utility (MU) that SK Group is pursuing in parallel, the preferred bidder could be selected as early as that day, drawing interest. It is a deal to sell 49% equity in each of the two companies. Because the Ulsan AI data center plans to draw power from Ulsan GPS and SK MU, there is analysis that the two deals are closely connected.