SK Group carried out its 2026 executive appointments and organizational reshuffle focused on field-centered operations, organizational innovation, and nurturing next-generation leaders. It also implemented an organizational overhaul to accelerate its artificial intelligence (AI) business push. SK hynix established AI research centers by region, and SK Innovation created CEO-level AI transition units at each affiliate.
SK Group said on the 4th that it held the SUPEX Council to share and discuss executive appointments and organizational reshuffle items decided by each affiliate. SK Group had preemptively carried out appointments of presidents in Oct. The latest executive appointments and reorganizations are based on strengthening field-centered execution, organizational innovation and fundamentals, and nurturing next-generation leaders. To that end, the group focused on boosting execution at each affiliate and reinforcing the foundation for mid- to long-term growth.
To enhance field-centered execution, SK Group emphasized a generational shift by placing people with proven business and technological capabilities in key roles and advancing younger talent to frontline positions. The aim is to strengthen on-site execution.
There are 85 newly appointed executives for 2026, including 17 born in the 1980s, or 20% of the total. More than 60% (54 people) are in their 40s. Among newly appointed female executives alone, 6 out of 8 were born in the 1980s. The average age of newly appointed executives is 48.8, younger than last year's 49.4. The youngest new executive is Ahn Hong-beom, in charge of SK Telecom Network (Network) AT/DT, born in 1983.
◇ Streamlining the executive organization, organizational reshuffle to accelerate the AI business
SK Group also emphasized organizational innovation and strengthening fundamentals for growth. To respond agilely to a rapidly changing business environment, organizational efficiency measures were implemented across the group. Through streamlining the executive organization, the group plans to build a "small and strong organization" and prepare for future growth.
In line with that, CEO Kim Jong-hwa of SK Energy will concurrently serve as CEO of SK geocentric, SK Innovation's chemical subsidiary. Kim plans to pursue integration and optimization of the oil and chemical value chain and strengthen synergies between the two companies.
SK Group also carried out reorganizations at each affiliate to accelerate the AI business, a future growth area. SK hynix established regional AI research centers to solidify its global technological dominance. The AI research centers will be overseen and operated by President Ahn Hyun, head of development. SK hynix will also set up a "global infrastructure" organization to prepare for strengthening global manufacturing competitiveness.
SK Innovation created the AX division, reporting directly to CEO Choo Hyeong-wook, to oversee the AI transition. SK ecoplant will launch an AI solutions business organization by integrating its solutions business (construction) and energy business (AI data centers, etc.).
An SK Group official said, "We plan to accelerate fundamental and tangible change by strengthening on-site execution, solid management, and nurturing next-generation leaders," adding, "We expect this to serve as a springboard to drive future growth at each affiliate."