Chey Tae-won is a South Korean businessman, the Chairman and CEO of SK Group, the nation's second-largest conglomerate (chaebol), with core businesses in energy, telecommunications, and semiconductors. Born in 1960, he is the eldest son of the former Chairman, Chey Jong-hyon. His father's philosophy—A company shouldn't grow only through competition—it should grow with the community and give back to society—deeply influenced him.

Chey received an elite education, graduating from Korea University with a bachelor's degree in Physics. He further specialized in economics, completing a combined master's and doctoral program in Economics at the University of Chicago. This blend of scientific rigor (physics) and economic theory positioned him to lead the massive, diversified conglomerate through strategic, high-tech expansions.

Chey Tae-won joined the SK Group (then Sunkyong) in 1991 as a manager in the trading division. He rapidly ascended the ranks, holding executive positions in the strategy and planning offices. The pivotal moment came in 1998 when he was appointed Chairman and CEO of the SK Group, following the sudden death of his father. He became the central figure uniting the 89 companies that comprise the massive conglomerate.

His leadership is defined by strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A), successfully expanding the group from oil refining and telecommunications into high-tech sectors like semiconductors (SK Hynix) and biotechnology (SK Biopharm). His acquisition of SK Hynix in 2011 was decisive, growing the SK Group into South Korea's second-largest chaebol. In recent years, Chey has become a national voice, calling for increased investment in AI and accelerating efforts to secure a hydrogen business value chain, positioning the group for the future of clean energy and technology.

Chey Tae-won's social impact is massive and national, tied directly to SK Group's contribution to the Korean economy. His father's philosophy—that companies must 'grow with the community and give back to society'—guides his commitment to ESG management (Environment, Social, and Governance).

His structural contribution is the successful modernization of the chaebol system and the creation of tens of thousands of high-value jobs in sectors like semiconductors and biotechnology. He actively advocates for attracting more foreign talent and easing local regulations to nurture soft money industries beyond traditional manufacturing.

Chey Tae-won maintains the highly professional, refined style of a South Korean chaebol chairman. His attire is consistently bespoke, favoring tailored suits and a classic, conservative aesthetic. His style reflects his elite education and his immense authority over the nation's second-largest conglomerate.

Residing in Seoul, his luxury is the profound financial security and national influence derived from his empire. He is fluent in English and Japanese, and his life is defined by his commitment to strategic, generational leadership, balancing the legacy of his father with the future of AI and clean energy.