SK Telecom Launches Dedicated Organization for 'Mega Project' AI Data Center

SK Telecom has established a CEO-direct control task force to actively advance the construction of an artificial intelligence (AI) data center, one of the three major "Korea Grand Leap" megaprojects led by the government.

According to SK Telecom on July 15, the company recently launched the "AI DC Integrated Task Force" directly under CEO Jaeheon Jung, appointing Seokgeun Jeong, head of the AI CIC (Company-in-Company), as head of the task force.

Jaehun Chung, President and CEO of SK Telecom, is announcing investment plans at the National Report Meeting on the Vision for Advanced Industry Development in the Yeongnam Region, hosted by President Jae-myung Lee on the 3rd in Jinju, Gyeongnam. Photo by Yonhap News

The task force is composed of two main pillars: a business development team dedicated to identifying domestic and overseas clients, sites, and investors, and an engineering and construction team in charge of designing and building the data centers.

The key focus is to consolidate the AI DC strategy planning, global client acquisition, investment attraction, and design and construction capabilities—previously dispersed across multiple organizations—under a single command system.

This move is interpreted as an effort to centralize the decision-making and execution processes of large-scale AI infrastructure projects, thereby accelerating business operations.

SK Telecom explained, "We established this new organizational unit to enhance our AI data center capabilities and speed up execution." The company added, "Currently, the organization is in its formation stage, with SK Telecom executives responsible for the AI data center business participating concurrently. Personnel from group affiliates will also join as needed."

SK Telecom supervises SK Group’s AI data center project, which involves a total investment of 140 trillion won and targets a 15GW (gigawatt) capacity. Starting with the AI data center under construction in Ulsan, the company plans to expand the project nationwide, including the Yeongnam and Honam regions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.