SK Group's Social Value Surges 23.8% to $20.9 Billion in 2025

By Kim Han-joo

SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- SK Group said Friday it generated 32.2 trillion won (US$20.9 billion) in social value in 2025, up 23.8 percent from a year earlier, as the South Korean conglomerate accelerated its sustainability initiatives.

The company has disclosed its nonfinancial performance in environmental, social and other areas annually since 2018, when it first reported a social value of 16 trillion won.

SK attributed last year's increase largely to a sharp rise in economic contributions stemming from improved earnings at affiliates, notably chipmaker SK hynix Inc., amid an industry upcycle.

According to the group, social value generated in 2025 consisted of 31.8 trillion won in indirect economic contributions, minus 3.1 trillion won in environmental performance and 3.4 trillion won in social performance, bringing the total to approximately 32.2 trillion won.

"We aim to lower the barriers to measurement by incorporating artificial intelligence into the know-how we have accumulated and contribute to objectively measuring and solving social problems," a company official said.

SK, whose businesses span semiconductors, telecommunications, energy and other sectors, introduced the social value measurement system in 2018 to quantify its contributions to the economy and society in monetary terms. The initiative reflects the group's management philosophy of pursuing financial growth while fulfilling social responsibilities.

The company said the detailed results of this year's assessment will be released on the group's website later this month.