SK Telecom Rises 8.5% Early After Setting Up AI Data Center Unit

SK Telecom climbed in early trading.

As of 9:11 a.m. on July 16, the shares were trading at 92,200 won, up 8.47% from the previous session.

The gain followed news the previous day that the company had created a dedicated organization to push ahead with its artificial intelligence data center business.

SK Telecom recently formed an AI Data Center Integrated Task Force reporting directly to the chief executive officer, establishing a dedicated system for the business. The task force will oversee the full AI data center process, from site selection and design to construction and customer acquisition.

SK Telecom is leading SK Group's AI data center business. It plans to expand beyond the AI data center project under way in Ulsan to other regions, including Yeongnam and Honam.

The South Korean government has also designated AI data centers as one of the country's three mega projects for a major national leap forward, advancing plans to expand AI computing infrastructure and stoking expectations for more related investment.

Kim Yeon-ji, Hankyung.com reporter kongzi@hankyung.com