SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won stated that the AI data center project is progressing smoothly and that collaborations with global companies are accelerating.
Following a visit to the SK Group's AI data center construction site at the Ulsan National Industrial Complex on the 10th, Chairman Chey attended the '2026 Ulsan Forum' in Ulsan's Ulju County on the 11th. Key executives, including Jang Yong-ho, CEO of SK Innovation; Jang Jae-heon, CEO of SK Telecom; and Yoon Byung-seok, CEO of SK Gas, were present.
After the forum, Chairman Chey briefed reporters on the status of the Ulsan AI data center project and the group's energy business plans. SK is constructing an AI-dedicated data center worth approximately 7 trillion KRW in Ulsan in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Groundbreaking occurred in August last year, with operations targeted for the second half of next year. The initial phase will be built at 100 MW, with plans to expand to 1 GW.
Regarding the AI data center project, Chairman Chey said, “Ulsan has reached 900 MW,” adding, “We are continuously meeting with global big tech companies, and progress is advancing at a significant pace.” This indicates substantial progress in discussions with big tech firms for expanding the 1 GW-scale data center. SK Group plans to sequentially develop AI data centers exceeding 1 GW in scale not only in Ulsan but also in other regions such as the Yeongnam area.
At the forum, Chairman Chey presented a future vision to develop Ulsan into a leading AI innovation city. This year's forum, co-hosted by the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK, marked its fifth iteration and was held online and offline under the theme “Leading AX, Smart Life Ulsan.”
Chairman Chey identified AI as this year's key topic and highlighted three requirements for successful innovation: △Speed, △Scale, and △Safety.
He explained, “All resources are being invested at a scale at least 10 times, and sometimes 100 times, larger than existing plans. In an era where everything, including stock prices, moves at such immense speed and scale, the core question is how to ensure safety.”
He also emphasized the urgency of manufacturing AI, stating, “If we don't start as soon as possible, others will already have established scale, and our efforts will lag in manufacturing AI competitiveness. This is not just a regional issue but a national one for South Korea.”
As a solution, Chairman Chey stressed the need to build sustainable business models and generate revenue. Specifically, he noted that a 'data platform' is essential to enhance manufacturing AI productivity. Ulsan must collaborate with companies to collect data and create a business structure that generates profit.
Finally, Chairman Chey expressed, “I hope the Ulsan Forum becomes a permanent platform where new approaches are developed, and concrete solutions like the AI chatbot 'Modu's AI' and 'Art Ulsan' are discussed methodically over the next year. Based on the AI City Ulsan, I look forward to the co-development of industry and citizen AI.”
The Ulsan Forum began in 2022 following a proposal by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. It has continued as a meaningful occasion for SK Group, the Ulsan industry, and the local community to explore future development directions.
