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The Korea Times

SK chairman urges stronger AI ties between Korea, US, Japan

  • By 학술
  • |
  • Nov 18,2025, 4:18 PM SGT
By Nam Hyun-woo
Published Feb 23, 2025 3:56 pm KST
Updated Feb 23, 2025 5:24 pm KST

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation between Korea, the United States and Japan over artificial intelligence (AI) and energy during a forum hosted by the group’s think tank.

According to SK Group, Sunday, Chey attended Trans-Pacific Dialogue (TPD) 2025 in Washington, D.C., from Friday to Saturday where he joined scholars, experts and politicians from the three countries to envision the future of trilateral relations.

The forum was hosted by the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, which was set up in 2018 to commemorate the chairman’s late father, former SK Group Chairman Chey Jong-hyon.

During his opening remarks and special addresses, Chey proposed a trilateral industrial coalition between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, and they can create “a strong synergy” by joining efforts in the fields of manufacturing, AI, energy, shipbuilding and nuclear power.

“In the fields of AI and energy, which have become the crux of global change today, trilateral cooperation between Korea, the U.S. and Japan is not an option, but a necessity,” Chey said.

Chey noted that the use of AI is concentrated on the financial and service industries for now, but upcoming competitions will likely take place mostly in the manufacturing sector, emphasizing that the three countries should come up with a cooperation strategy promptly.

As part of such efforts, Chey floated the idea of combining Korea’s cutting-edge manufacturing facilities with U.S. capabilities in software and Japan’s strength in materials and equipment.

During the forum, participants shared their ideas and opinions on the proposed trilateral cooperation, such as Korea and Japan supporting the infrastructure and logistics for U.S. energy exports while collaborating to secure stable energy resources in return. Also, they explored ways to combine U.S. technology and intellectual properties in the nuclear and small modular reactor sector with the design, procurement and construction capabilities of Korea and Japan.

After starting in 2021, the TPD marks its fourth edition this year. The event initially was held every December, but moved to February this year due to the political schedules of the U.S. and Japan. Reflecting the heightened interests in the fast-changing international geopolitical environments, approximately 90 people from the three countries attended, up about 50 percent compared to the previous year.

From the U.S., Senators Todd Young, Dan Sullivan and Andy Kim and former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien participated. From Japan, former Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeo Yamada attended.

From Korea, ruling People Power Party lawmakers Kim Gunn and Choi Hyung-du, and main opposition Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Lee Un-ju and Wi Sung-lac joined the event. Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, and a number of former foreign ministers also attended.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20250223/sk-chairman-urges-stronger-ai-ties-between-korea-us-japan

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Chey Institute for Advanced Studies

(06141) 17th FL, 211 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tel. : +82-2-6310-7800
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E-mail : tpd@chey.org

Chey Institute for Advanced Studies © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Session 1

1. Security Challenges and the Future of U.S. Alliances in East Asia

Contingencies involving Taiwan, the South China Sea, and North Korea are of paramount importance due to their potential to disrupt regional and global stability. Taiwan represents a critical flashpoint in US-China relations, with implications for trade, global supply chains, security alliances, and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. The situation in the South China Sea is urgent, with near-constant PRC pressure on the Philippines in support of illegitimate maritime claims. Similarly, North Korea's unrelenting nuclear ambitions and unpredictable behavior pose significant threats to peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. Deterring aggression will require careful strategic planning, robust deterrence, and cooperation between the U.S., Korea, and Japan, as well as other partners.

Participant Biographies

Gary SAMORE

Professor, Brandeis University

Gary SAMORE is the Director of the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and Professor of the Practice of Politics in the Department of Politics at Brandeis University. He is also a senior fellow with the Project on Managing the Atom at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Samore previously served as President Obama’s White House Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction. He was a National Science Foundation Fellow at Harvard University, where he received his MA and Ph.D. in government in 1984.