SK Group heir Chey In-keun joins McKinsey & Company in Seoul office

McKinsey & Company has strengthened its team in South Korea with Chey In-keun, the eldest son of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.

According to reports in Korean media, Chey In-keun has joined McKinsey & Company’s Seoul office after leaving SK Innovation E&S, the energy subsidiary of SK Group.

At SK Innovation E&S, Chey In-keun worked in the US natural gas business subsidiary of SK Innovation E&S, which operates as PassKey. In his role, the 30-year-old professional focused on business expansion initiatives in the North American gas market.

Now at McKinsey & Company, Chey In-keun will advise clients on strategy and transformation. Headquartered in the US, McKinsey & Company is one of the world’s leading strategic consulting firms. The firm launched its Seoul office in 1991.

The move sees Chey In-keun follow in the footsteps of his oldest sister, Chey Yoon-chung, who previously spent two years at Bain & Company.

With Chey In-keun the only son of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, media are speculating that he may have advised his son to join the management consulting firm to prepare for a future transfer of group leadership. Working in consulting offers people top-level business experience and a valuable network with executives across industries.

Heirs of other family-controlled conglomerates in South Korea, such as HD Hyundai, BGF and AmorePacific, have also gained experience at global consulting firms before taking on major roles at their parents’ companies.