Korean giant SK mulls Southeast Asia asset sale for reinvestment

By Thuy Nguyen
Mon, December 26, 2022 | 11:12 am GMT+7

SK Group, South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate, said Monday it is considering selling some of its assets in Southeast Asia to reinvest in other companies in Vietnam and other regional countries.

The plans to decide which assets to potentially sell will depend on buyers’ interest, and the group will consider reinvesting some of the proceeds from any stake sales in local firms, Reuters quoted an SK Group spokesperson as saying.

The source, who was not named, did not disclose details of which assets might be sold.

 SK Group’s headquarters in Seoul. Photo courtesy of Korea Economic Daily.

SK Group’s headquarters in Seoul. Photo courtesy of Korea Economic Daily.

In Vietnam, SK Group’s regional investment arm SK South East Asia Investment holds a 6.1% stake in the country’s largest conglomerate Vingroup JSC, a 9.5% stake in Vietnam’s No. 2 conglomerate Masan, a 14.5% stake in retail chain Pharmacity, a 54% stake in pharmaceutical company Imexpharm Corp., a 16.3% stake in retailer VinCommerce (under Vingroup), and a 4.9% stake in The CrownX - a Masan retail platform.

SK Group set up its Singapore-based SK South East Asia Investment in 2018 to expand the Korean giant’s investment activities in various business sectors across the region.

The investment arm, in partnership with Korea’s state National Pension Service, has so far spent as much as 3 trillion won ($2.34 billion) to purchase stakes in seven Vietnamese and Malaysian companies, according to a Sunday report by the Korea Economic Daily.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of stakes in the Vietnamese and Malaysian firms could be reinvested in promising companies in Southeast Asia, the report said.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Indonesia resumes int’l carbon trading after 4-year hiatus

Indonesia resumes int’l carbon trading after 4-year hiatus

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued a new decree to restart international carbon emissions trading after a four-year hiatus.

Southeast Asia - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:23 pm GMT+7

Investors seek 2-year delay for $2.56 bln LNG power project in northern Vietnam, citing equipment hurdles

Investors seek 2-year delay for $2.56 bln LNG power project in northern Vietnam, citing equipment hurdles

Investors of a $2.56 billion LNG-fired power plant in Hung Yen province have proposed delaying the project’s commercial operation schedule by two years due to difficulties securing key equipment.

Energy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:04 pm GMT+7

Vietnam to soon raise taxpayers' personal deduction: official

Vietnam to soon raise taxpayers' personal deduction: official

The personal income tax deduction in Vietnam is "very likely" to increase to VND21.7 million ($823,940) per month, including VND15.5 million (588,530) for the taxpayer and VND6.2 million ($235,410) for each dependent.

Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 6:25 pm GMT+7

Business confidence climbs as reforms gain traction amid global headwinds: EuroCham Vietnam

Business confidence climbs as reforms gain traction amid global headwinds: EuroCham Vietnam

The index climbed to 66.5, surpassing pre-tariffs level and reaching its highest in three years – showcasing resilience and adaptability amid global headwinds and evolving U.S. tariff pressures.

Economy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 4:36 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's stock market watchdog suspends two Grant Thornton auditors

Vietnam's stock market watchdog suspends two Grant Thornton auditors

Vietnam's State Securities Commission (SSC) has suspended two auditors from Grant Thornton Vietnam after determining that the 2024 audited financial statements of Saigon Water Infrastructure Corporation (HoSE: SII) failed to meet required standards.

Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 3:35 pm GMT+7

Law No. 56 a major policy breakthrough for Vietnam's stock market development

Law No. 56 a major policy breakthrough for Vietnam's stock market development

The Law No. 56, effective January 1, 2025, is one of the major legal breakthroughs in recent years that will enhance the transparency and operational efficiency of the Vietnamese stock market.

Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:30 pm GMT+7

WHA Group breaks ground on smart technology industrial zone in central Vietnam

WHA Group breaks ground on smart technology industrial zone in central Vietnam

Thailand's WHA Group on Tuesday broke ground on a world-class, modern, and environmentally friendly industrial zone in central Vietnam, namely the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone-Thanh Hoa.

Real Estate - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7

Vietnam a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global strategy: exec

Vietnam a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global strategy: exec

Vietnam remains a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global business strategy, said Eric Hambly, the U.S. corporation's president and CEO.

Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 12:06 pm GMT+7

VNPT, Qualcomm debut Vietnam’s 1st original design-based excellence center

VNPT, Qualcomm debut Vietnam’s 1st original design-based excellence center

State-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Qualcomm have officially launched the VNPT-Qualcomm Excellence Center (VQEC), the first facility in the country to operate under an original design co-development model using Qualcomm’s core technologies.

Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 8:41 am GMT+7

Indonesia enjoys steady growth in nine months

Indonesia enjoys steady growth in nine months

Indonesia's Ministry of Finance on Tuesday announced the country’s 2025 budget performance as of September, reporting that Southeast Asia’s largest economy continued to post steady growth despite global economic uncertainties.

Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:53 pm GMT+7

Malaysia on progressive path towards AI nation status: experts

Malaysia on progressive path towards AI nation status: experts

Malaysia is on a progressive track towards becoming an Artificial Intelligence (AI) nation by 2030, a goal seen as achievable under Budget 2026 - the Malaysian Government’s fiscal and policy framework for 2026.

Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:44 pm GMT+7

Thailand steps up development of semiconductor industry

Thailand steps up development of semiconductor industry

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) plans to propose a new national semiconductor and advanced electronics policy board to the government, which will spearhead Thailand’s semiconductor development strategy.

Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:40 pm GMT+7

ASEAN sets ambitious energy targets

ASEAN sets ambitious energy targets

Senior energy officials from ASEAN member nations and Timor-Leste on Tuesday convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to finalize key outcomes and policy recommendations to be submitted to the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM).

Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:33 pm GMT+7

Sun Group gets nod for $375 mln inland waterway tourism project in central Vietnam

Sun Group gets nod for $375 mln inland waterway tourism project in central Vietnam

A subsidiary of Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s leading real estate developers, has received approval to invest VND9.88 trillion ($375 million) in an inland waterway tourism project in the central coastal city of Danang.

Industries - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 5:21 pm GMT+7

Vietnamese luxury car dealer Haxaco’s business slumps, stock nears two-year low

Vietnamese luxury car dealer Haxaco’s business slumps, stock nears two-year low

The operations of Hang Xanh Automobile Service JSC or Haxaco (HoSE: HAX), known as the largest distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Vietnam, are under pressure as consumers tighten spending and competition among car brands intensifies.

Companies - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 5:13 pm GMT+7

Vietnam sets 2026 GDP growth target at 10%

Vietnam sets 2026 GDP growth target at 10%

The Vietnamese Government has set the targets for economic expansion in 2026 at about 10% and inflation at 4.5%.

Economy - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 4:28 pm GMT+7