SKT Sets Up AI Data Center Subsidiary 'SK Hyper'... Invests 750 Billion Won

15GW AI DC Blueprint: Control Tower for AI Infrastructure and Business Development

Phase 1 Goal: Building 5GW AI Data Centers

SK Telecom will establish a new subsidiary dedicated to developing its artificial intelligence (AI) data center business and invest 750 billion won in the venture.

On July 23, SK Telecom (SKT) announced that its board of directors had approved the establishment of a new company, "SK Hyper Co., Ltd.," which will be fully responsible for AI data center (AI DC) business development. The company has also resolved to invest a total of 750 billion won in SK Hyper by 2030 to lay the foundation for this business.

SK Hyper is a specialized company dedicated to the development of the AI data center business. In the mid- to long-term, it will serve as the control tower for constructing AI data centers with a total capacity of 15 gigawatts (GW). The name "Hyper" reflects the company’s aim to transcend all limits and unlock infinite possibilities, as well as its intention to rapidly scale the AI DC business to a hyperscale level.

SK Telecom aims to build, in the first phase, a total of 5GW of AI data centers in stages with SK Hyper at the core. According to market demand, the company plans to expand this to a total of 15GW by 2035.

SK Hyper will be responsible for securing business sites, building and operating substations, establishing transmission and distribution infrastructure, attracting customers, and business development. It plans to proactively secure shared infrastructure necessary for constructing AI data centers.

SK Telecom will have SK Hyper as a wholly owned subsidiary. The investment into SK Hyper will be made in stages as needed until 2030, within the approved total investment limit.

SK Hyper will be led by Seokkeun Jung, head of the SKT AI CIC (Company-in-Company). Jung has previously served as head of Naver Clova CIC and overseen SKT's global and AI technology business units. He has been responsible for developing SKT’s AI models, building AI data centers, and managing the company’s AI transformation (AX) strategy. Jung will concurrently serve as the head of the SKT AI DC Integration Task Force, linking the SK Group's AI DC execution organizations and accelerating business development.

Seokkeun Jung, CEO of SK Hyper, stated, "SK Hyper will play a key role in materializing SK Group's vision of an 'Asian AI Infrastructure Hub.' We will secure core infrastructure and customers through systematic and rapid execution, contributing to Korea's emergence as one of the top three AI powers (AI G3)."

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