Choi Changwon: "Sustainability of Businesses and Local Communities Shaken... AI Is the Savior for Manufacturing"

Strategies for Building the Ulsan Manufacturing AI Hub
Focusing on Regional Cultural Development in the Southeast

Choi Changwon, Chairman of the SK Supex Council, emphasized the need for innovation and collaboration centered on Ulsan, stating that artificial intelligence (AI) will become the savior for restoring the competitiveness of Korea's manufacturing industry amid growing threats to the sustainability of businesses and local communities.

Choi Changwon, Chairman of the SK Supex Council, is answering questions from reporters after the '2025 Ulsan Forum' event held on the 24th at the Ulsan Exhibition Convention Center (UECO) in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. SK

On the 24th, at the '2025 Ulsan Forum' co-hosted by SK and the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Ulsan Exhibition Convention Center (UECO) in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, Chairman Choi said, "Recently, the sustainability of businesses and local communities has been shaken due to factors such as regional extinction, climate change, and geopolitical issues. In this situation, our manufacturing sector could also lose its competitiveness, but I believe AI has emerged as a savior." He continued, "As discussed at today's forum, the productivity of quality, cost, safety management, and decision-making in companies is declining. We now have an opportunity to regain our business competitiveness through AI technology."

He further stated, "When communities with different interests achieve a common outcome, it is because of a clear goal and a concrete plan, but these account for only 20% of the success factors. The remaining 80% comes from collaboration." Chairman Choi added, "SK has traditionally been stronger in competition than in collaboration, but we have come to clearly realize that it is impossible to operate an AI data center alone. I believe the fundamental key to attracting the AI data center was Ulsan's administrative capabilities."

Regarding the future direction of the Ulsan Forum, Chairman Choi said, "Regional forums must also have attractive features and should not end with only grand discussions. This Ulsan Forum has effectively highlighted current issues and discussed concrete solutions. Moving forward, if we continue to approach the forum realistically in terms of software and content, it can develop even further."

Now in its fourth year, the Ulsan Forum began in 2022 at the suggestion of SK Chairman Chey Tae-won, to reflect on Ulsan's future in celebration of the 60th anniversary of SK Innovation. This year, the forum focused on two key sessions: 'Manufacturing AI Hub Ulsan' and 'Establishing a Regional Cultural Network.' The event was attended by Chairman Choi, Kim Jounghwa, President of SK Energy, and other top SK executives, Kim Dukyum, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Gong Jinhyuk, Chairman of the Ulsan Metropolitan Council's Steering Committee, Lee Yooncheol, Chairman of the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Oh Yeoncheon, President of Ulsan University. In addition, more than 1,900 SK members, local businesspeople, small business owners, and citizens participated both online and offline.

In the 'Manufacturing AI Hub Ulsan' session, participants explored the future of manufacturing AI businesses centered in Ulsan and discussed ways to implement a mega sandbox for innovation. Lee Sedol, a distinguished professor at UNIST, delivered a keynote speech on "The Need for Innovation and Collaboration in the AI Era." This was followed by a panel discussion on mega sandbox strategies for building 'Ulsan Manufacturing AI,' featuring representatives from SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor Company, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), UNIST, and Ulsan Metropolitan City. The 'Regional Cultural Network' session explored ways to create synergy in building a cultural city, including discovering diverse cultural items that highlight the unique characteristics of Korea's southeastern region.