SK Hynix [Yonhap]
SK Hynix [Yonhap]

A senior SK Hynix executive who oversees the company's AI business sold a large block of shares as the chipmaker's stock continues to surge on the back of booming demand for AI semiconductors.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service's DART system, Kim Ju-sun, president of SK Hynix's AI Infrastructure division, sold 1,000 shares on May 29 at 2,328,500 won ($1,540) per share, for a total of 2.3285 billion won.

The sale took place on the same day SK Hynix's share price closed at 2,333,000 won — the first time it had surpassed the 2.3 million won mark. Industry observers believe Kim realized a substantial gain through the transaction.

Kim leads the AI infrastructure organization at SK Hynix, which oversees AI memory chip operations including HBM. He also recently attended a meeting between SK Corp Chairman Chey Tae-won and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang — widely referred to as the "Kkanbu Chicken" gathering — where he played a central role in advancing AI memory and factory cooperation between the two companies.

Some in the industry view the timing of the sale as unusual, particularly as major brokerages have been raising their target prices for SK Hynix in quick succession. SK Securities lifted its target from 3 million won to 4 million won, while KB Securities raised its from 3 million won to 3.8 million won.

The sale has drawn broad attention given that large share disposals by corporate executives can invite a range of interpretations from investors.

The company, however, pushed back against any suggestion that the transaction carries special significance. SK Hynix said executives routinely buy and sell shares based on their individual circumstances. Kim still holds 2,881 shares following the sale.


bbo@heraldcorp.com