President Kim Jun, who ended the 'Battery Dispute,' visits US factory for the first time after agreement

Visit with the Governor of Georgia

Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony of SK Innovation's Georgia plant in March 2019

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 19th (local time), Kim Jun, President of SK Innovation, visited the battery plant in Commerce, Georgia, along with Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, USA. This was the first visit after settling the battery dispute with LG Energy Solution.

According to foreign media and SK Innovation, President Kim and Ji Dong-seop, head of SK Innovation's Battery Business Division, along with company executives and Governor Kemp, visited the plant to assess the on-site atmosphere. Earlier, on the 11th, SK and LG reached an agreement on the battery trade secret dispute, enabling SK to actively pursue its US business centered on the Georgia plant. Due to the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling, an import ban was imposed for 10 years, and SK had even considered withdrawing from the business, but the agreement between the two companies allowed the plant to continue operations.

Governor Kemp, who had voiced support for SK during the lawsuit process, said, "I am grateful that SK Innovation has reached an agreement with its competitor and can continue its business," adding, "This is very important not only for Georgia but also for the United States." President Kim said, "When the second phase of construction (Plants 3 and 4) is completed by 2025, it is expected to create about 6,000 jobs," and added, "We will grow together with the local community."

SK Innovation recently completed Plant 1 for local battery production and is currently building Plant 2. Additionally, land for constructing further plants has been secured. Previously, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won announced plans to invest more than 5 trillion won in the Georgia plant.