Original Korean article: view.asiae.co.kr
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
SK Group's AI Infrastructure Divestment Draws Domestic and Overseas PE Interest
Infrastructure deals have become a cornerstone of private equity fund (PEF) activity this year. While past deals centered on waste and environmental projects, recent transactions now focus on energy and data centers. Notably, SK Group's asset reallocation strategy, which involves divesting energy generation and infrastructure assets, is creating opportunities for private equity operators (PE).
Domestic and Overseas PE Focus on K-Infrastructure Market
SK Horizon, an artificial intelligence infrastructure specialist established by separating SK Broadband's data center and submarine cable businesses, has attracted significant interest from domestic and overseas PE firms. SK Telecom disclosed this structural change through a regulatory filing on August 27, 2026. A consortium of IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital, along with global private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), each acquired 20 percent and 29 percent stakes in SK Horizon respectively. SK Horizon raised approximately 3.08 trillion won in investment by selling both existing and new shares to these investors.
KKR, which established Eclipse, a renewable energy joint venture with SK, acquired a 43.10 percent controlling stake in SK Eternics held by SK Discovery and Han and Company, according to a filing in the same month. The joint venture, aimed at creating an integrated renewable energy platform, also took over renewable energy business divisions from SK E&S and SK ecoplant. A consortium of Stick Alternative Asset Management and Korea Investment Private Equity acquired a 49 percent stake in SK Multi-Utility and Ulsan GPS for 1.6 trillion won in June.
