This combined photo shows members of the presidential transition committee's second economy division who are connected to SK Group. From left are KAIST College of Business professor Lee Chang-yang, Dongduk Women's University professor Wang Yun-jong and former SK Telecom Vice President Ryu Woong-hwan. Yonhap

By Park Jae-hyuk

SK Group is drawing attention after some of its former employees rose to prominent roles in the second economy division of Yoon Suk-yeol's presidential transition committee in charge of industry and trade policies.

Given that SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won is also leading the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) representing businesses, the group is expected to exercise strong influence over the incoming Yoon administration's industrial policies.

According to the transition committee, Thursday, KAIST College of Business professor Lee Chang-yang, Dongduk Women's University professor Wang Yun-jong, former SK Telecom Vice President Ryu Woong-hwan and ATEAM Ventures CEO Ko San were appointed as the four members of the second economy division.

Aside from Ko, the three other members are all affiliated with SK Group.

Lee, who will lead the division, served as a nonexecutive director of SK hynix between 2012 and 2018, based on his career as a government official dealing with industrial policies.