On April 20, 2026, the Grand Walkerhill in Seoul’s Gwangjin-gu district buzzed with anticipation as SK hynix gathered with representatives from 89 partner companies for the annual 동반성장협의회 (Co-Prosperity Council) General Assembly. This year’s event, more than just a routine meeting, marked a pivotal moment as the semiconductor giant and its suppliers mapped out new strategies to thrive together in the rapidly advancing era of artificial intelligence (AI).
The 동반성장협의회, established back in 2001, has always been about more than business transactions. According to Yonhap News, it was created to strengthen the competitiveness of the semiconductor supply chain and cement cooperative relationships among SK hynix and its partners. Over the years, this annual assembly has become a forum where business status, market outlooks, and pressing industry issues are discussed openly. But 2026’s gathering felt different—a sense of urgency and opportunity hung in the air as AI’s influence on the industry became undeniable.
The event kicked off with opening remarks from Kang Yoo-jong, Vice President and Head of Purchasing at SK hynix. He set the tone, stating, “The reason we’ve been able to maintain a stable supply chain despite market uncertainties is thanks to our cooperative relationships with member companies. Going forward, we’ll move beyond transactional ties to establish practical, long-term cooperation plans.” (as reported by Issue Today and Thelec). Kang’s comments resonated with the crowd, many of whom have weathered dramatic shifts in the global tech landscape over the last few years.
CEO Kwak No-jeong, a central figure throughout the day, expressed deep gratitude for the dedication and collaboration shown by partner firms in 2025. He said, “The achievements SK hynix made last year, both quantitatively and qualitatively, were thanks to the dedication and cooperation of council members.” He didn’t mince words about the road ahead, declaring, “AI demand is no longer a temporary opportunity—it has become the industry standard. As the AI era approaches, we will strengthen our cooperation foundations and expand the depth and scope of win-win cooperation so that our member companies remain competitive.” (as quoted by Yonhap News and Thelec).
Trust and partnership were recurring themes. Hwang Cheol-joo, Chairman of the Co-Prosperity Council and head of Jusung Engineering, emphasized, “SK hynix is becoming a leading company in the AI era thanks to the trust and cooperation built with council member companies. Let’s continue to strengthen our collaborative ties and open a new era together.” (Issue Today). His words underscored the sense of shared destiny that permeated the assembly.
One of the most significant developments announced was a shift in how the council’s sectoral meetings would operate. Traditionally, SK hynix set the agenda, but starting this year, partner companies themselves will propose discussion topics based on real-world issues they encounter. According to Thelec, these partners will now form autonomous small groups around shared interests, with SK hynix providing support so they can focus on resolving immediate challenges. This approach aims to empower suppliers, foster more relevant dialogue, and ultimately boost the entire supply chain’s resilience.
The results of last year’s sectoral meetings—covering materials, components, equipment, and infrastructure—were shared, reflecting the council’s ongoing commitment to transparency and mutual problem-solving. The 2025 business settlement and the 2026 business plan were also reported and approved, giving all attendees a clear sense of direction for the year ahead (Issue Today, Yonhap News).
But the collaboration doesn’t stop at meetings. SK hynix is ramping up its win-win cooperation programs across technology, management, finance, and education. Notably, the company is expanding its ‘Semiconductor Academy’ initiative, offering advanced training for employees of partner companies. This includes tailored support designed to strengthen suppliers’ business competitiveness—a crucial move as the AI-driven transformation of the semiconductor industry accelerates. “We aim to enhance our partners’ competitiveness with deep-dive education and customized support,” said an SK hynix executive (Thelec).
The assembly also served as a platform for SK hynix to share its own business status, vision, and outlook for the AI memory market. The company laid out its 2025 management performance and detailed plans to maintain industry leadership, particularly as AI reshapes the very structure of the semiconductor sector. “As AI demand becomes the industry standard, the structure of the semiconductor industry is being reorganized,” CEO Kwak observed, “We will reinforce our cooperation base so that member companies can remain globally competitive.” (Yonhap News).
All of this is happening against the backdrop of a semiconductor market in flux. The global supply chain has faced unprecedented disruptions in recent years, from pandemic-related slowdowns to geopolitical tensions. Yet, as Kang Yoo-jong noted, SK hynix and its partners have managed to maintain stability through strong, trust-based relationships. This resilience, many believe, is what sets the company and its network apart as the AI era dawns.
SK hynix’s commitment to mutual growth is not just rhetoric. The company and its council are actively pursuing ways to make cooperation more meaningful and impactful. By involving partners directly in setting agendas and solving problems, and by investing in education and tailored support, SK hynix aims to ensure that its entire supply chain can adapt to technological shifts and seize new opportunities together.
For the 89 member companies in attendance, this new approach is both a challenge and an opportunity. The move toward greater autonomy in sectoral meetings means more responsibility—but also more influence and a stronger voice in shaping the future. As the AI revolution accelerates, these partnerships may be the key to not just surviving, but thriving, in a transformed industry landscape.
As the assembly wrapped up, the sense of shared purpose was unmistakable. Leaders from SK hynix and its partners left the Grand Walkerhill not just with new plans and strategies, but with a renewed commitment to collaboration, innovation, and mutual success. In an industry where change is the only constant, such unity could prove to be SK hynix’s greatest asset in the years to come.