Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SK Group, showed a cautious stance regarding the admission of the RE100 (Renewable Energy 100) industrial complex. The RE100 complex is a place where corporations that move in use only renewable energy such as solar and wind power to meet their electricity needs, and it is one of the key projects promoted by the government of Lee Jae-myung.
During a press conference held at the KORCHAM Summer Forum in Gyeongju on the 17th, Chey was asked whether he was considering moving into the RE100 complex. He responded, "Many big tech companies that led RE100 eventually gave it up, as they believed that relying solely on 100% renewable energy could not solve the current issues."
Chey stated that there are various ways to reduce carbon emissions and expressed that there is no need to insist on using only 100% renewable energy. He asserted, "Korea is pursuing 'CFE (Carbon Free Energy)' that includes nuclear power in response to RE100, and if the issues with nuclear energy, such as radiation leaks, can be resolved, it can be considered clean energy."
He cited the energy price issue as an important reason for the careful review of whether to move into the RE100 complex. He noted, "If energy prices are too high, it will be difficult to conduct business regardless of good intentions, and I would consider moving into the complex if the price conditions are right, but more learning is needed."
The establishment of the RE100 complex is a project the government is promoting as a top priority following the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung. The government has launched a task force involving ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and recently started specific discussions. It also aims to create a special law for the establishment of the RE100 complex and pass it at the regular National Assembly meeting in September. Areas such as Honam and Ulsan are mentioned as potential sites.
Chey expressed concern about the proposed amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, known as the "yellow envelope law," saying the government should offer a "carrot" to the business community in another way. The yellow envelope law expands the scope of users, allowing contract workers to strike against main contractors and considers management issues such as production adjustments as subjects of dispute.
Chey stated, "From a corporate perspective, there is a negative implication, so I am opposed to the implementation of the yellow envelope law." He added, "The government has continuously emphasized being a 'business-friendly government', and I don’t think it will only do bad things to corporations. There is a need to eliminate other regulations or create new ones to allow corporations to grow."
Chey emphasized that domestic corporations are currently facing a serious crisis and that to overcome this, they need to strengthen their artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness. He remarked, "I believe the Korean manufacturing industry has experienced a lost decade, and over the past 10 years, we have been standing still and aging." He added, "We must rely on AI for hope. Although the speed of AI growth in China is faster, it is still in the early stages, so we need to catch up and compete."
He also conveyed that the recent departure and job change of his eldest son, Chey In-geun, from SK Group was entirely his own decision. In-geun left SK Innovation E&S, where he had worked since 2020, at the end of last month and has been working at the Seoul office of the global consulting firm McKinsey since early this month.
Chey stated, "I raise my child in a 'free-range' style," adding, "Outside, people say this is a succession training, or not, but it was the choice he wanted."