[New Year's Message] Chey Tae-won: "We Must Have 'Jinan-ihaeng' to Act Despite Knowing Difficulties"

"Need to Strengthen Management Soundness to Secure Fundamental Competitiveness"

Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, emphasized in his 2025 New Year's address that "what we need now is the courage to act despite knowing the difficulties, the mindset of 'Jinan-ihaeng (知難而行)'."

On the morning of the 1st, Chairman Choi sent an email New Year's greeting to all SK Group members with this message, stating, "New attempts and innovations are always difficult," and added, "I will take the lead and run with courage, so let us move forward together."

[New Year's Message] Chey Tae-won: "We Must Have 'Jinan-ihaeng' to Act Despite Knowing Difficulties"

Chairman Chey Tae-won of SK. Provided by SK

At the beginning, Chairman Choi evaluated last year by saying, "We experienced a more intense management environment than ever before due to increasing geopolitical variables and the rapid growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, which caused global market upheaval."

He said, "Over the past year, amidst the massive waves of change, we took time to reflect on ourselves to confirm the direction we must take and to make a full-fledged leap forward," and expressed gratitude to the members who quietly did their best in difficult circumstances and quickly helped create a foundation for a new leap together.

Chairman Choi pointed to securing 'fundamental competitiveness' as the driving force that will enable future leaps. Fundamental competitiveness means having an essential and sustainable competitive edge that is not shaken by external environments.

He emphasized, "To secure fundamental competitiveness, it is necessary to strengthen management soundness through the rapid promotion of operational improvement (O/I)." He explained that operational improvement should become the 'basic skill of management' applied in all areas of business activities beyond simple cost reduction, and that all management elements not reflected in financial statements are subject to this.

He added, "Strengthening fundamental competitiveness through operational improvement may be uncomfortable and difficult as it requires us to change ourselves, but I am confident that if we challenge persistently and tenaciously with SK's unique spirit and all members unite in collaboration, we can reach the expected level."

Chairman Choi also cited AI as another driving force for the group's future leap. He stressed that the global industrial structure and market reorganization due to the rapid growth of the AI industry is an irreversible trend, and to enhance fundamental business capabilities using AI, it is essential to strengthen the ability to actually utilize AI in work.

He said, "Our strengths such as AI semiconductor technology, capabilities to collaborate with global AI service providers, and energy solutions are sufficient to grow into a major company in the AI market," and stated, "Under the spirit of 'together yet separately,' if each SK member company creates new business opportunities together and provides them to customers, we can lead the competition to secure AI value chain leadership."

Chairman Choi concluded his New Year's address by expressing condolences regarding the passenger plane accident at Muan Airport. He said, "There was a tragic accident at Muan Airport at the end of last year," and added, "I pray for the souls of the deceased and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families."