Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
SK chairman urges stronger AI ties between Korea, US, Japan
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won delivers his opening address at Trans-Pacific Dialogue 2025 at the Salamander Washington D.C. hotel, Friday (local time). Courtesy of SK Group
By Nam Hyun-woo
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation between Korea, the United States and Japan over artificial intelligence (AI) and energy during a forum hosted by the group’s think tank.
According to SK Group, Sunday, Chey attended Trans-Pacific Dialogue (TPD) 2025 in Washington, D.C., from Friday to Saturday where he joined scholars, experts and politicians from the three countries to envision the future of trilateral relations.
The forum was hosted by the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, which was set up in 2018 to commemorate the chairman’s late father, former SK Group Chairman Chey Jong-hyon.
During his opening remarks and special addresses, Chey proposed a trilateral industrial coalition between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, and they can create “a strong synergy” by joining efforts in the fields of manufacturing, AI, energy, shipbuilding and nuclear power.
“In the fields of AI and energy, which have become the crux of global change today, trilateral cooperation between Korea, the U.S. and Japan is not an option, but a necessity,” Chey said.
Chey noted that the use of AI is concentrated on the financial and service industries for now, but upcoming competitions will likely take place mostly in the manufacturing sector, emphasizing that the three countries should come up with a cooperation strategy promptly.
As part of such efforts, Chey floated the idea of combining Korea’s cutting-edge manufacturing facilities with U.S. capabilities in software and Japan’s strength in materials and equipment.
During the forum, participants shared their ideas and opinions on the proposed trilateral cooperation, such as Korea and Japan supporting the infrastructure and logistics for U.S. energy exports while collaborating to secure stable energy resources in return. Also, they explored ways to combine U.S. technology and intellectual properties in the nuclear and small modular reactor sector with the design, procurement and construction capabilities of Korea and Japan.
After starting in 2021, the TPD marks its fourth edition this year. The event initially was held every December, but moved to February this year due to the political schedules of the U.S. and Japan. Reflecting the heightened interests in the fast-changing international geopolitical environments, approximately 90 people from the three countries attended, up about 50 percent compared to the previous year.
From the U.S., Senators Todd Young, Dan Sullivan and Andy Kim and former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien participated. From Japan, former Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeo Yamada attended.
From Korea, ruling People Power Party lawmakers Kim Gunn and Choi Hyung-du, and main opposition Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Lee Un-ju and Wi Sung-lac joined the event. Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, and a number of former foreign ministers also attended.