SK chief makes surprise appearance at CES

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won made a surprise appearance at the CES, Friday, reversing an earlier announcement that he was canceling his visit to the tech show after one of his aides tested positive for COVID-19.

This is the first time Chey has visited the four-day exhibition; and he is the only leader among those of Korean conglomerates participating in the CES to be attending the show.

"Coming here for the first time, I was able to see various new technologies that I have heard so much about," Chey told reporters.

SK, Korea's second-largest conglomerate, is among several South Korean companies, including Samsung and LG, which are promoting their latest technologies and gadgets at the show.

The energy-to-telecom enterprise, has put its focus on carbon reduction and sustainability at its largest-ever CES pavilion, touting dozens of technologies in sectors ranging from electric vehicle batteries and urban air mobility to renewable energy and sustainably produced food.

"How we are going to cut carbon emissions and overcome the issue from a technological point of view are the topics that we're studying. I thank the staff for coming up with the various exhibits and hope that many people will show interest in them," the CEO said.

After touring the SK booth, he visited SK's food truck outside the main exhibition hall to savor Korean desserts and other food items made with animal-free proteins developed by companies that are invested in by SK.

Chey had previously announced he had canceled his entire schedule at the tech show after one of his secretaries accompanying him tested positive for COVID-19.

Chey tested negative for the coronavirus in a self-administered test, SK said earlier. (Yonhap)