SKT Appoints Yoo Kyungsang and Jung Seokgeun, Former Google and Naver Executives, as Dual Heads of In-House AI Organization

Streamlining Reporting Procedures and Field-Centered Execution
SK Telecom Declares a Rapid Push in AI Business

Yoo Kyungsang, Chief Strategy Officer, and Jung Seokgeun, General Manager of GPAA, jointly appointed as new heads of SK Telecom AI CIC. Photo by SK Telecom

On October 31, SK Telecom announced the joint appointment of Yoo Kyungsang, Chief Strategy Officer, and Jung Seokgeun, General Manager of GPAA, as the new heads of its in-house independent artificial intelligence company, AI CIC.

Established in September with the goal of consolidating AI capabilities, AI CIC is a core organization dedicated to executing SK Telecom's AI strategy and business operations.

Yoo Kyungsang, the newly appointed head of CIC, is a former Google executive who has led the development of AI strategies and the establishment of global partnerships within the SK Group, and has been responsible for strategy and new business development at SK Telecom. Jung Seokgeun, also newly appointed as head of CIC, previously served as the head of Naver Clova CIC and, since joining SK Telecom, has overseen AI technology development, global investments, and infrastructure building.

SK Telecom explained that by appointing these two individuals as joint heads of AI CIC, it aims to strengthen expertise in both strategy and business divisions and establish a "two-top system" that combines their respective strengths. They will support CEO Chung Jaeheon, who was appointed the previous day, alongside Han Myungjin, head of MNO CIC.

Additionally, with the appointment of the new heads of AI CIC, SK Telecom announced that it will make "speed" a core value, finalize the already initiated organizational restructuring, and establish an execution-focused system. The company plans to simplify reporting and approval procedures and operate as an agile, work-centered organization.

Jung Seokgeun, head of CIC, stated, "The launch of AI CIC is not just an organizational change, but the establishment of a system that allows SK Telecom to focus on AI businesses where it can excel. As the global AI industry rapidly evolves, we will secure SK Telecom's unique competitiveness."

Yoo Kyungsang, head of CIC, said, "By enabling elite teams with expertise in each field to collaborate organically and respond swiftly to market changes, we will deliver tangible AI results that customers can truly experience."