SK chairman's global reach shapes largest-ever APEC CEO Summit

Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), speaks during a KCCI summer forum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, July 16. Yonhap

The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, scheduled in Gyeongju from Tuesday through Friday, is shaping up to be the largest in history, in terms of the number and caliber of speakers, participants and program content.

The event is expected to bring together over 1,700 business leaders from the 21 APEC member economies.

As attention turns to whether the APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit will yield a breakthrough in global tariff disputes, the gathering of top business and industry figures is also drawing focus for insights into future economic trends.

The driving force behind this year’s expanded edition is its host, Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

As both chair and head of the organizing committee, Chey has steered the planning and operations of the summit, leveraging his extensive international network and leadership to secure the participation of key global figures.

A longtime advocate for the international expansion of Korean companies, Chey also played a leading role in Korea’s bid for World Expo 2030, personally engaging with leaders from over 100 countries. His hands-on diplomatic experience brings a wealth of global insight, equipping him to prepare a platform where executives can exchange ideas and shape the future of the economy.

As chairman of SK Group, whose portfolio spans artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and energy, Chey has cultivated long-term partnerships with leading global business figures — a network that directly contributed to the summit’s impressive lineup.

“Thanks to Chairman Chey Tae-won’s global leadership, this year’s APEC CEO Summit is expected to further elevate Korea’s standing and role on the world stage,” a business insider said.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, right, talks with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during a business meeting in Washington, D.C., Aug. 26. Yonhap

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is returning to Korea for the first time in 15 years to attend the summit.

Huang’s relationship with Chey began with a shared passion for technology and innovation, highlighted when Huang personally pledged their partnership in “creating the future of AI and humanity.” The two have continued discussions on AI and advanced semiconductor development, reconnecting in the United States in August.

Huang is scheduled to lead a special session on AI, robotics and autonomous driving on Friday. Also attending is Harold Hamm, founder of the oil and gas company Continental Resources and a pioneer of the U.S. shale gas industry, who maintains a long-standing friendship with Chey in the energy sector.

Top tech executives joining the summit include Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman, Google Asia-Pacific Vice President Simon Kahn, Microsoft Vice Presidents Anthony Cook and Ulrich Homann and Meta Asia-Pacific Vice President Simon Milner.

Financial leaders expected in Gyeongju include Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, J.P. Morgan Chase Vice Chairman Daniel Pinto, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.

Additionally, industrial and corporate heads such as CATL Chairman Robin Zeng, Hitachi CEO Toshiaki Tokunaga and Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato have confirmed their attendance.

A sign is displayed at the venue of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit at Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap

Chey’s global network extends beyond business. As chairman of the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, he has hosted the annual Trans-Pacific Dialogue since 2021, bringing together top policymakers and scholars from Korea, the U.S. and Japan to discuss policy cooperation and regional prosperity. The institute also maintains active collaborations with major Asian universities through forums, including the University of Tokyo, Peking University and Fudan University.

Chey visited Japan in May to encourage greater engagement in the APEC CEO Summit, also sending a congratulatory letter and formal invitation to new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

On Oct. 10, he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Chairman Ren Hongbin and Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Secretary Chen Jining to seek their support for the summit. The following day, Chey promoted the event to executives of Fortune 500 companies at the International Business Leaders Advisory Council in Shanghai.

As chair of the 2025 APEC CEO Summit, Chey will personally oversee the entire program, from the welcome reception on Tuesday to the closing ceremony. In his capacity as head of SK Group, he will also lead the AI session at the summit’s side event, the Future Tech Forum, where global tech leaders will discuss the future of the AI ecosystem.