SK On CEO recognized for contributions to battery industry

Jee Dong-seob, CEO of SK Group’s battery company SK On, received the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit for his contributions to the development of the nation’s battery industry, the industry ministry said, Wednesday.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a commemorative ceremony for the Nov. 1 Battery Industry Day in Seoul and awarded 20 contributors to the development of the industry.

At the ceremony, Jee was awarded the highest order of merit for his contributions to the growth of the battery industry, including securing large-scale global orders worth a cumulative 290 trillion won ($214 billion) from carmakers such as Hyundai Motor Group, Ford and Volkswagen and increasing the battery business sales from 690.3 billion won in 2019 to 7.6177 trillion won in 2022, more than 11 times in only three years.

"In addition to our rapid growth, which has seen our sales double every year, we will continue to focus on enhancing profitability,” the CEO said. “We will strive further to raise the status of the Korean battery industry through mutual cooperation with our partner companies.”

The company has operated or started construction of battery production factories in the three U.S. states of Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as two in Hungary and three in China, since he took the head position in 2019.

Given it has hired 2,481 employees in Korea over the past three years and its overseas production sites operate using more than 90 percent of equipment made domestically in Korea by partner companies, the company has contributed significantly to the development of the domestic battery industry’s ecosystem.

The Korea Battery Industry Association designated Nov. 1 as Battery Industry Day to commemorate the achievements of the battery industry, which has become an important national strategic industry, in celebration of its 10th anniversary in 2021.

Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, who attended the event, encouraged the battery industry, which is continuing to achieve fruitful results even amid difficult circumstances, such as global supply chain uncertainties.

“The government will actively support the growth and market development of the industry as one team with the industry in order for Korea to maintain its leading position in the battery industry,” Ahn said.