최태원 SK 회장 “일본 키오시아와 반도체 공동 생산도 하나의 선택지”

SK Group Chairman 최태원 stated that Japan's semiconductor company 키오시아 is one of several potential choices during an interview with 日本アサヒ新聞. He described 키오시아 as a company with many strengths and said that if 키오시아 and SK하이닉스 are included in its future strategy, SK하이닉s would be willing to become a partner. The article noted that 최 회장 mentioned that the company may end its investment if there is no further cooperation with 키오시아.

It also reported that 키오시아 is considering constructing a factory in Japan and is looking at the possibility of a joint venture for research and development, supply chain, and other areas. SK하이닉s currently owns a special purpose vehicle (SPC) that holds 14% of 키오시아's shares. Last month, 키오시아's largest shareholder changed to this special purpose vehicle in its home city of 東京.

According to 아サヒ신문, if SK하이닉s converted this vehicle into shares in the future, it would gain the majority of 키오시아's decision-making power. The outlet also explained that this would give 키오시아's management a stronger influence. Global market research firm 카운터포인트리サーチ reported that in the last two quarters, Samsung held 25% of the global NAND memory market, followed by SK하이닉s at 22%, and 키오시아 and 中國環境テクノロジー(YMTC) at 14% each.

However, 최 회장 emphasized that if there is no further cooperation with 키오시아, the company would terminate its investment. The chairman also noted that SK하이닉s is currently facing a global memory semiconductor shortage, prompting the consideration of building new overseas factories. Japan has already been approached by local governments to attract 키오시아's new overseas factory.

The article quoted the 아サヒ신문 as praising 최 회장's assessment of Japan as "a very attractive candidate," citing its appeal in terms of risk and culture. The source also mentioned that 키오시아 is already collaborating with SK하이닉s in the development of memory technology. The 키오시아 executive expressed a desire to maintain a good relationship with the company, given its position as one of its main suppliers of memory semiconductors.