By Kang Seung-woo
SK Innovation recently agreed to set up a joint venture with German automotive parts supplier Continental to develop batteries for electric vehicles, with its headquarters to be based in the European country.
Critics have questioned SK’s plan to tap into growing demands for next generation vehicles. They worry it may turn out to be an investment without employment, as the nation’s leading oil refiner and battery manufacturer ships jobs out of the country amid the government’s aggressive efforts to create positions and increase domestic investment as part of efforts to overcome an economic downturn.
SK Innovation CEO Koo Ja-young told