SK Telecom has formed a dedicated organisation reporting directly to its chief executive to fully support an AI data centre (AI DC) construction project, one of the government’s “three mega projects”.

SKT said on Tuesday it recently established an “AI DC Integrated Promotion Taskforce” under CEO Jeong Jae-heon (정재헌). It appointed Jeong Seok-geun (정석근), head of the AI CIC, to lead the taskforce.

The taskforce consists of a business development team to find customers, sites and investors, and an engineering and build team responsible for data centre design and construction. It is seen as unifying functions such as AI DC strategy-setting, winning global customers and attracting investment, which have been scattered, to accelerate the business.

SKT oversees SK Group’s 15-gigawatt AI data centre construction project. It aims to open 5 gigawatts of AI DC capacity in phases at major hubs nationwide from 2029 and expand to up to 15 gigawatts by 2035.

SKT said it created the organisation to enhance AI data centre capabilities and speed up execution. It said it is currently in the process of forming the organisation, with SKT executives in charge of the AI data centre business participating in additional roles. SKT is also reviewing the option of bringing in personnel from other group affiliates as needed.