In 2024, SK hynix achieved its best-ever performance to date, solidifying its leadership in the global AI memory industry. The Business Analysis department played a key role in this achievement by strengthening the company’s financial standing through rigorous profit and loss management, cost and profitability analysis, and economic simulations.
To build upon this improved financial foundation and drive further growth, SK hynix appointed Vice President Jaekwang Eom of Business Analysis as a new executive. In the second episode of an interview series featuring newly appointed executives in 2025, the newsroom spoke with Eom to discuss his aspirations and thoughts in this new role.
Rising Above the Downturn, Aiming for Greater Growth in 2025
Aiming for top cost competitiveness and enhanced memory value, Eom and the Business Analysis team relentlessly moved forward in 2024, leading to the company’s record-breaking performance.
“The previous downturn brought significant challenges, making financial stability our top priority in 2024,” he said. “The Business Analysis team responded by promptly analyzing profits and losses amid the rapidly changing environment, optimizing resources, and strengthening our core capabilities. As a result, we achieved world-class cost competitiveness.”
Despite the company’s strong 2024 performance, Eom stressed that there is no room for complacency and he aims for greater progress in 2025.
“Although we achieved great success last year, there’s still room for improvement,” he stated. “In 2025, we will strive to achieve positive net cash1 and sustainable growth to help the company reach new heights. We will achieve Operational Improvement2 (O/I) 2.0 not only through cost reduction but also by measuring the impact of process and structural improvements and implementing an advanced management system.”
1Net cash: The amount remaining after subtracting borrowings from cash and cash equivalents, indicating a state where cash holdings exceed borrowings.
2Operational Improvement (OI): An SK Group management strategy first proposed in 2002 that optimizes key performance indicators such as profit margins, customer satisfaction, and sustainability to maximize business profits. It refers to all management decisions that improve and enhance the business.
Eom aims to enhance financial stability and operational efficiency, driving sustainable growth for SK hynix
Hands-on Experience Shaping a Balanced Perspective
Eom’s career path is unique. Now leading the Business Analysis department—a key pillar of the company’s financial operations—Eom began his career in manufacturing and technology. With a background in semiconductor manufacturing, he is recognized for his exceptional ability to balance manufacturing and technology operations with financial strategies.
“Finance-related organizations are often perceived as solely focused on cutting costs,” he revealed. “But with my experience in manufacturing and technology, I’ve learned to make well-balanced decisions instead of favoring one side. Moving forward, I’ll continue making decisions that satisfy both our financial objectives and the needs of the manufacturing and technology teams.”
This approach is clear in the Business Analysis department, where nearly half the members have manufacturing or technical backgrounds.
“As SK hynix is a leading tech company, even the Business Analysis department, which is focused on financial strategy, needs a deep understanding of technology,” Eom revealed. “Leveraging this expertise, we’ll develop more well-crafted and practical financial strategies.”
Eom seeks to integrate financial expertise with technical insights, ensuring balanced decision-making and stronger cost competitiveness
Recognizing Achievements Driven by SUPEX & the One-Team Spirit
For Eom, the achievements of 2024 are particularly significant. Not only did the company achieve its best-ever financial results, but a taskforce that was formed in 2021 to drive world-class cost competitiveness also made remarkable progress. In 2024, SK hynix achieved the leading cost competitiveness in the global semiconductor market, demonstrating not only the company’s technological excellence but also its strong leadership in business management.
“Achieving outstanding cost competitiveness wasn’t easy, but thanks to our commitment to SUPEX3 and the ‘one-team’ spirit, we reached our goal faster than expected,” he said. “As a member of SK hynix, I’m incredibly proud and deeply grateful to all the team members who worked hard to make this achievement possible.”
3Super Excellent Level (SUPEX): A key concept of SK Group’s business management system, SKMS, SUPEX describes the highest level attainable by human ability.
Eom concluded by highlighting the importance of hyperconnectivity. “To become the world’s leading full stack AI memory provider, we must focus on improving individual skills while also harnessing the power of collective intelligence,” he added.
“As market conditions rapidly evolve and competition intensifies, we must improve operational efficiency while securing a technological edge. I believe we can elevate SK hynix to new heights by harnessing the power of convergence—where experts from various fields work together to create even greater value.”
