First CEO with a Judicial Background
Leads Organizational Strengthening and Governance Overhaul Amid Hacking Aftermath
Enhances 'Trust Management' with Experience in AI Governance and ESG
Following a security incident, restoring trust and stabilizing governance have emerged as the top priorities for SK Telecom, which has appointed a new leader with expertise in law and governance. On October 30, SK Telecom announced that it has appointed Jeong Jaeheon, President of External Relations, as the new CEO. He is the first CEO of SK Telecom with a legal background. Through this appointment, SK Telecom has sent a clear message that it intends to strengthen its organizational fundamentals and restore trust both internally and externally, based on principles and standards.
The new CEO, Jeong, graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Public Law and completed the 29th Judicial Research and Training Institute. He is a former judge who served at the Seoul District Court, Daejeon District Court, and Suwon District Court, and has held positions such as Director of the IT Management Bureau at the National Court Administration and professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. After spending over 20 years in the legal field, he joined SK Telecom in 2020 as Head of the Legal Group, entering the corporate management sector.
In 2021, he participated as a founding member during the establishment of SK Square, where he led the Investment Support Center. He oversaw core functions such as strategy, legal affairs, and finance, contributing to the refinement of key management functions within the group. Since 2024, he has served as President of External Relations at SK Telecom, leading ESG, CR, and PR initiatives, while also chairing the Governance Committee of the SUPEX Council, the group’s highest decision-making body.
"AI Trust, Information Security, Organizational Strengthening"... Challenges for a CEO with a Legal Background
This appointment symbolically represents SK Telecom’s urgent task of ‘restoring trust.’ After a large-scale hacking incident in April, the company implemented customer compensation programs and conducted a thorough security review, which led to more than a 90% drop in operating profit in the third quarter. The market share also fell below 40%. The 134.8 billion won fine imposed by the Personal Information Protection Commission was recorded as a non-operating expense, further impacting profitability.
In this context, appointing Jeong, a recognized expert in law and governance, indicates that the company is prioritizing the restoration of organizational trust and compliance over short-term performance. Internally, there is a consensus that “leadership based on fundamentals and principles was needed to reinforce the organization.”
During his tenure, CEO Jeong established ‘AI Governance’ codes of conduct to ensure the reliability and safety of artificial intelligence technologies, and led efforts to strengthen customer information protection systems and restore external trust after the hacking incident. These experiences position him as a ‘risk management CEO for the AI era.’
SK Group Strengthens ‘Governance Line’... Dual Track of Organizational Stability and New Growth
This appointment is in line with SK Group’s overall leadership renewal. Chairman Chey Tae-won has emphasized ‘governance innovation’ and ‘transition to AI-based new businesses,’ and the new CEO is seen as capable of executing both. As Chair of the Governance Committee of the SUPEX Council, CEO Jeong has improved decision-making systems across the group’s affiliates.
At the same time, SK Telecom has appointed Han Myeongjin, CEO of SK Square, as the head of the newly established Communications CIC. CIC Head Han is a manager known for portfolio rebalancing and profitability-focused management. With this, SK Telecom has established a leadership structure that divides roles between CEO Jeong Jaeheon, who focuses on governance and trust, and CIC Head Han Myeongjin, who is dedicated to strengthening the core telecommunications business.
The appointment of the first CEO with a legal background in SK Telecom’s history is also highly symbolic. With a ‘principle-centered leader’ joining an organization previously led by internal technology and management experts, SK Telecom is signaling a shift toward rebuilding both its external reputation and internal trust.
An industry insider commented, “For SK Telecom, stabilizing the organization and regaining customer trust must come before technological competition. CEO Jeong, with his legal background, is a leader who can strike a balance across three areas: internal control, AI ethics, and external risk management.”
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