[THE INVESTOR] SK hynix on June 11 refused to comment on reports that Toshiba is contacting US and Taiwanese firms as potential buyers of its memory division.

Japanese media earlier reported Toshiba is holding talks with US Western Digital and Taiwan-based Foxconn amid the delayed negotiation with its preferred-bidder consortium that includes SK hynix.

Last month, a global consortium that included SK hynix was tapped as the preferred negotiating partner for the sale of the memory arm of Japanese tech giant Toshiba.

“As the negotiation is under progress, we have nothing to comment on,” a SK hynix official said.

Sources said Tokyo wishes to have Japanese investors take two-thirds of the shares in the memory business, with Bain Capital taking up the rest.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)