v3.26.1
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Text block [abstract]  
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
11.
Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
 
  (1)
Investments in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
 
(In millions of won)
     
December 31, 2025
   
December 31, 2024
 
   
Country
 
Ownership

(%)
   
Carrying
amount
   
Ownership
(%)
   
Carrying
amount
 
Investments in associates:
         
SK China Company Ltd.
  China     27.3     ₩ 1,045,903       27.3     ₩ 975,443  
Korea IT Fund(*1)
  Korea     63.3       370,482       63.3       363,138  
UniSK
  China     49.0       26,442       49.0       26,031  
SK Technology Innovation Company
  Cayman Islands     49.0       33,523       49.0       34,516  
SK MENA Investment B.V.(*2)
  Netherlands     32.1       6,612       32.1       17,273  
SK Latin America Investment S.A.(*3)
  Spain     —        —        32.1       1,357  
SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd.
  Singapore     20.0       368,776       20.0       391,572  
Citadel Pacific Telecom Holdings, LLC(*4)
  USA     15.0       55,167       15.0       51,780  
SM Culture & Contents Co., Ltd.
  Korea     22.8       29,305       22.8       39,567  
Nam Incheon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.(*5)
  Korea     —        —        27.3       15,635  
Home Choice Corp.(*4)
  Korea     17.8       2,773       17.8       3,238  
Konan Technology Inc.(*4)
  Korea     18.9       5,070       20.6       3,575  
CMES Inc.(*4)
  Korea     6.5       6,999       6.6       4,772  
SK telecom Japan Inc.
  Japan     24.9       3,629       24.9       3,703  
Rebellions Inc. (Formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.)(*4)
  Korea     18.2       187,466       26.1       298,327  
SK m&service Co., Ltd(*6)
  Korea     30.0       24,551       —        —   
Start-up
Win-Win
Fund and others(*4,7,8)
  —      —        65,661       —        102,702  
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
      ₩ 2,232,359       ₩ 2,332,629  
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
Investments in joint ventures:
         
UTC
Kakao-SK
Telecom ESG Fund(*9)
  Korea     48.2       6,111       48.2       9,198  
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
      ₩ 2,238,470       ₩ 2,341,827  
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
  (*1)
Investment in Korea IT Fund was classified as investment in associates as the Group does not have control over the investee under the contractual agreement with other shareholders.
  (*2)
The Group received ₩10,955 million from the
paid-in
capital reduction of SK MENA Investment B.V. for the year ended December 31, 2025, with no change in ownership interest.
  (*3)
The Group is expected to receive ₩1,394 million from the liquidation of SK Latin America Investment S.A. and recognized a ₩282 million loss relating to investments in associates for the year ended December 31, 2025.
  (*4)
These investments were classified as investments in associates as the Group can exercise significant influence through its right to appoint the members of the board of directors even though the Group has less than 20% of equity interests.
  (*5)
The Group received ₩4,000 million from the
paid-in
capital reduction of Nam Incheon Broadcasting Co., Ltd. and recognized a ₩11,791 million loss relating to investments in associates for the year ended December 31, 2025.
  (*6)
The Group disposed of a portion of shares in SK m&service Co., Ltd., which was an indirect subsidiary of the Parent Company, to SAMKOO Inc. and received ₩54,987 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. As a result, the remaining shares have been reclassified as an investment in associate as of December 31, 2025.
  (*7)
The Group exchanged its entire shares in id Quantique SA for shares in IonQ, Inc., and recognized a ₩1,189 million loss relating to investments in associates for the year ended December 31, 2025.
  (*8)
The Group newly contributed ₩10,596 million in cash to Syntelligence AI Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2025.
  (*9)
This investment was classified as investment in joint ventures as the Group has joint control pursuant to the agreement with the other shareholders.
 
  (2)
Market value of investments in listed associates as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
 
(In millions of won, except for share data)
 
    
December 31, 2025
    
December 31, 2024
 
    
Market price
per share

(in won)
    
Number of

shares
    
Market
value
    
Market price

per share

(in won)
    
Number of

shares
    
Market

value
 
SM Culture & Contents Co., Ltd.
   ₩ 1,330        22,033,898        29,305        1,400        22,033,898        30,847  
Konan Technology Inc.
     19,710        2,359,160        46,499        19,470        2,359,160        45,933  
CMES Inc.
     33,100        763,968        25,287        24,000        763,968        18,335  
 
  (3)
The condensed financial information of material associates as of and for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
 
(In millions of won)
 
    
Korea IT

Fund
    
SK China

Company Ltd. (*1)
    
SK South East Asia

Investment Pte. Ltd.(*1)
    
Rebellions Inc.

(Formerly, SAPEON
Korea Inc.)(*1,2)
 
    
As of December 31, 2025
 
Current assets
   ₩ 183,750        1,787,188        1,012,134        392,333  
Non-current
assets
     401,222        2,120,977        965,785        295,580  
Current liabilities
     —         39,402        42,226        912,220  
Non-current
liabilities
     —         407,230        31,791        10,420  
    
For the year ended December 31, 2025
 
Revenue
   ₩ 40,134        68,245        132,567        32,022  
Profit (loss) for the period
     21,343        42,909        1,806        (204,898 )
Other comprehensive income
     4,232        239,747        12,323        219  
Total comprehensive income (loss)
     25,575        282,656        14,129        (204,679 )
 
 
(In millions of won)
 
    
Korea IT

Fund
    
SK China

Company Ltd.(*1)
    
SK South East Asia
Investment Pte. Ltd.(*1)
 
    
As of December 31, 2024
 
Current assets
   ₩ 164,128        1,755,237        1,724,220  
Non-current
assets
     409,248        1,898,657        1,328,952  
Current liabilities
     —         48,662        342,671  
Non-current
liabilities
     —         328,485        18,430  
    
For the year ended December 31, 2024
 
Revenue
   ₩ 57,110        71,870        119,019  
Profit (loss) for the year
     37,187        55,448        (54,649 ) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
     13,006        (156,828 )       (3,972 ) 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
     50,193        (101,380 )       (58,621 ) 
 
 
 
(In millions of won)
      
    
Korea IT

Fund
    
SK China

Company Ltd.(*1)
    
SK South East Asia
Investment Pte.
Ltd.(*1)
 
    
As of December 31, 2023
 
Current assets
   ₩ 128,344        1,350,607        213,522  
Non-current
assets
     402,819        1,987,252        3,034,553  
Current liabilities
     —         99,083        502,728  
Non-current
liabilities
     —         252,100        13,586  
    
For the year ended December 31, 2023
 
Revenue
   ₩ 33,017        70,126        76,686  
Profit (loss) for the year
     16,330        87,462        (66,169 ) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
     5,316        (56,660 )       2,779  
Total comprehensive income (loss)
     21,646        30,802        (63,390 ) 
 
  (*1)
The financial information of SK China Company Ltd., SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd. and Rebellions Inc. (Formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.) are consolidated financial information. 
  (*2)
The financial information includes the goodwill held by Rebellions Inc. (formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.), which was recognized as part of the identifiable net assets of the associate at the time the investment in the associate was made.
 
  (4)
There are no material joint ventures as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
 
  (5)
Reconciliations of financial information of material associates to carrying amounts of investments in associates in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
 
(In millions of won)
             
    
December 31, 2025
 
    
Net assets
    
Ownership
interests (%)
    
Net assets
attributable
to the
ownership
interests
    
Cost-book
value
differentials
    
Carrying
amount
 
Korea IT Fund
   ₩ 584,972        63.3        370,482        —         370,482  
SK China Company Ltd.
     3,461,533        27.3        944,111        101,792        1,045,903  
SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd.(*1)
     1,843,880        20.0        368,776        —         368,776  
Rebellions Inc. (Formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.)(*2,3)
     (462,479 )       18.2        (163,255 )       350,721        187,466  
 
  (*1)
Net assets of the entity represent net assets excluding those attributable to the
non-controlling
interests.
  (*2)
Net assets of the entity exclude the goodwill held by Rebellions Inc. (formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.) at the time the investment in the associate was recognized.
 
 
  (*3)
The ownership interest is based on the number of shares owned by the Parent Company divided by the total shares issued by the investee, and the effective ownership interest applied for the equity method is 35.3% as of December 31, 2025.
 
(In millions of won)
             
    
December 31, 2024
 
    
Net assets
    
Ownership
interests (%)
    
Net assets
attributable
to the
ownership
interests
    
Cost-book
value
differentials
    
Carrying
amount
 
Korea IT Fund
   ₩ 573,376        63.3        363,138        —         363,138  
SK China Company Ltd.
     3,276,747        27.3        893,609        81,834        975,443  
SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd.(*)
     1,957,860        20.0        391,572        —         391,572  
 
  (*)
Net assets of the entity represent net assets excluding those attributable to the
non-controlling
interest.
 
  (6)
Changes in investments in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
 
(In millions of won)
 
2025
 
   
Beginning
balance
   
Acquisition
and

disposal
   
Share
of

profit

(loss)
   
Other

compre-
hensive

income
(loss)
   
Other

changes
   
Ending

balance
 
Investments in associates:
 
SK China Company Ltd.
  ₩ 975,443       —        9,707       60,753       —        1,045,903  
Korea IT Fund(*1)
    363,138       —        13,519       2,681       (8,856 )      370,482  
UniSK(*1)
    26,031       —        215       450       (254 )      26,442  
SK Technology Innovation Company
    34,516       (1,363 )      1,242       (872 )      —        33,523  
SK MENA Investment B.V.
    17,273       (11,041 )      401       (21 )      —        6,612  
SK Latin America Investment S.A.
    1,357       (1,676 )      191       128       —        —   
SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd.
    391,572       —        (1,710 )      (21,086 )      —        368,776  
Citadel Pacific Telecom Holdings, LLC(*1)
    51,780       —        185       4,640       (1,438 )      55,167  
SM Culture & Contents Co., Ltd.
    39,567       —        (4,220 )      (153 )      (5,889 )      29,305  
Nam Incheon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.(*1)
    15,635       (15,791 )      293       —        (137 )      —   
Home Choice Corp.
    3,238       —        (465 )      —        —        2,773  
Konan Technology Inc.
    3,575       3,535       (2,040 )      —        —        5,070  
CMES Inc.
    4,772       3,374       (1,216 )      69       —        6,999  
SK telecom Japan Inc.
    3,703       —        247       (321 )      —        3,629  
Rebellions Inc. (Formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.)
    298,327       (33,620 )      (77,610 )      369       —        187,466  
SK m&service Co., Ltd(*2)
    —        —        1,037       (52 )      23,566       24,551  
Start-up
Win-Win
Fund and others(*1,3,4)
    102,702       10,253       3,458       (622 )      (50,130 )     65,661  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
    2,332,629       (46,329 )      (56,766 )      45,963       (43,138 )      2,232,359  
Investments in joint ventures:
 
UTC
Kakao-SK
Telecom ESG Fund
    9,198       (2,000 )      (1,087 )      —        —        6,111  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
  ₩ 2,341,827       (48,329 )      (57,853 )      45,963       (43,138 )      2,238,470  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  (*1)
Dividends received from the associates are deducted from the carrying amount for the year ended December 31, 2025.
  (*2)
The Group disposed of a portion of shares in SK m&service Co., Ltd., which was an indirect subsidiary of the Parent Company, for the year ended December 31, 2025, resulting in the reclassification of the remaining shares as an investment in associate as of December 31, 2025.
  (*3)
The Group exchanged its entire shares in id Quantique SA for shares in IonQ, Inc. and classified the investment in IonQ, Inc. as a financial asset at FVOCI for the year ended December 31, 2025.
  (*4)
The acquisition for the year ended December 31, 2025 includes ₩10,596 million of investments in Syntelligence AI Ltd.
 
 
(In millions of won)
 
2024
 
   
Beginning
balance
   
Acquisition
and

disposal
   
Share
of

profit

(loss)
   
Other

compre-
hensive

income
(loss)
   
Other
changes
   
Ending

balance
 
Investments in associates:
 
SK China Company Ltd.
  ₩ 896,990       —        8,913       69,540       —        975,443  
Korea IT Fund(*1)
    336,404       —        23,552       8,237       (5,055 )      363,138  
UniSK
    22,285       —        1,430       2,815       (499 )      26,031  
SK Technology Innovation Company
    70,409       —        4,269       8,078       (48,240 )      34,516  
SK MENA Investment B.V.
    14,872       —        329       2,072       —        17,273  
SK Latin America Investment S.A.
    14,607       —        (65 )      1,268       (14,453 )      1,357  
SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd.
    355,282       —        (9,403 )      45,693       —        391,572  
Citadel Pacific Telecom Holdings, LLC(*1)
    45,901       —        619       6,699       (1,439 )      51,780  
SM Culture & Contents Co., Ltd.
    41,578       (3 )      (1,880 )      (128 )      —        39,567  
Nam Incheon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.(*1)
    14,344       —        1,427       —        (136 )      15,635  
Home Choice Corp.
    3,215       —        23       —        —        3,238  
Konan Technology Inc.
    6,349       (16 )      (2,861 )      103       —        3,575  
CMES Inc.
    900       (4,396 )      (767 )      51       8,984       4,772  
SK telecom Japan Inc.
    1,239       1,560       (983 )      1,887       —        3,703  
Rebellions Inc. (Formerly, SAPEON Korea Inc.)(*2)
    —        —        —        —        298,327       298,327  
Start-up
Win-Win
Fund and others(*1,3,4)
    81,142       (2,953 )      (1,686 )      2,793       23,406       102,702  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
    1,905,517       (5,808 )      22,917       149,108       260,895       2,332,629  
Investments in joint ventures:
 
UTC
Kakao-SK
Telecom ESG Fund
    9,495       —        (297 )      —        —        9,198  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
  ₩ 1,915,012       (5,808 )      22,620       149,108       260,895       2,341,827  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  (*1)
Dividends received from the associates are deducted from the carrying amount for the year ended December 31, 2024.
  (*2)
The Group lost control of SAPEON Korea Inc., which was a subsidiary of the Parent Company, for the year ended December 31, 2024, due to a decreased ownership resulting from the merger between SAPEON Korea Inc. and Rebellions Inc. As a result, the entity was reclassified as an investment in associate for the year ended December 31, 2024.
  (*3)
The acquisition for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes ₩5,878 million of investments in SK AMERICAS Inc. (formerly, SK USA Inc.), ₩180 million of investment in SK VENTURE CAPITAL, LLC., ₩273 million of investment in WALDEN SKT VENTURE FUND, ₩24 million of investment in F&U Credit information Co., Ltd. and ₩1,294 million of investment in AhnLab Blockchain
 
 
  Company. The disposal for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes a portion of shares of SK AMERICAS Inc. (formerly, SK USA Inc.) for ₩167 million, a portion of
Start-up
Win-Win
Fund for ₩200 million, and the entire shares of 12CM JAPAN and Daliworks Inc. for ₩7,296 million and ₩2,013 million, respectively.
  (*4)
The Group reclassified the entire shares of F&U Credit information Co., Ltd. as assets held for sale. (See note 39).
 
  (7)
The Group discontinued the application of equity method to the following investees due to their carrying amounts being reduced to zero. The details of cumulative unrecognized equity method losses as of December 31, 2025 are as follows:
 
(In millions of won)
  
Unrecognized loss
    
Unrecognized change
in equity
 
    
2025
    
Cumulative
loss
    
2025
    
Cumulative
loss
 
Invites Genomics Co., Ltd.
   ₩ 7,662        29,840        (726 )       560  
U-land
Co., Ltd
     —         1,011        —         —   
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
   ₩ 7,662        30,851        (726 )       560