SK hynix mulls creating a Seoul office at SK Group headquarters

(Yonhap)

South Korean chipmaker SK hynix Inc. is reportedly accelerating plans to establish an office inside Seorin Building, the headquarters of SK Group, in Jongno, central Seoul.

According to industry sources on Tuesday, SK hynix is reviewing a plan to relocate some of its Seoul office functions and sales organizations into available space within the Seorin Building.

The space under consideration reportedly became available after certain SK energy Co. divisions previously occupying the building moved to regional business sites and other locations.

Seorin Building is a symbolic location within SK Group, housing Chairman Chey Tae-won’s office, along with key organizations such as the SK SUPEX Council, and SK Inc.

Business circles interpret the move not merely as a simple office relocation, but as a sign that SK hynix’s standing within the group has risen sharply.

SK hynix has effectively been driving the group’s earnings and corporate value by strengthening its leadership in the artificial intelligence (AI) memory market with high-bandwidth memory (HBM).

As the group’s focus rapidly shifts from its traditional energy and telecommunications businesses toward AI semiconductors, some analysts suggest that Chairman Chey may be seeking to oversee the key business more closely and directly.

However, security concerns are emerging as a potential challenge.

Given the nature of the AI semiconductor business, highly sensitive information, including global client data, next-generation memory roadmaps, and supply negotiation details, is concentrated within the company.

Some industry observers point out that the environment of a group headquarters, where outside movement and visitor access are relatively frequent, could create security burdens.

The importance of information security has become even greater amid expanding cooperation with global tech giants such as Nvidia Corp.

“As SK hynix has effectively established itself as the group’s core growth engine, there is a growing trend to position strategic and sales functions closer to the chairman and top group leadership,” said an industry insider. “It also symbolically shows that the group’s central axis itself is changing in the AI era.”