SK Group announced Wednesday that it has completed a two-year digital archiving project to restore and preserve the legacy of the late Chairman Chey Jong-hyun, a pivotal figure in South Korea’s economic development from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Dubbed the “Sunkyong Chronicles,” the extensive archive includes 3,530 voice recordings of Chey and has been digitized for the first time, according to the SK Supex Council. The collection is expected to serve as a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of Korea’s modern corporate and economic history.

SK said Chey frequently recorded company reports, internal discussions, employee conversations and key meetings. His comments and leadership philosophy, captured throughout the archive, underscore his efforts to shape SK’s management direction and elevate corporate governance standards in Korea.

In a talk with new employees in 1982, Chey remarked, “Even in a big country like the US, foreigners are hired for their talent. In a small country like Korea, forming factions based on region, school ties or social cliques is unacceptable.”

In a 1992 meeting with executives from SKC, he stated, “A floppy disk sells for one dollar, but once you put software in it, its value increases 20-fold,” stressing the need for Korea to move beyond hardware and focus on high-value industries.

The archive also chronicles key moments in the formation of SK’s unique management philosophy, the SK Management System (SKMS) — including decision-making processes, leadership interactions and dialogues with international business figures.

The restored archive comprises approximately 17,620 items, including 5,300 audio and video files, 3,500 documents and 4,800 photographs. Altogether, these amount to 131,647 individual units. The 3,530 audio tapes of Chey’s recordings alone amount to over a year’s worth of continuous listening at eight hours per day, the company said.

“The late chairman’s management records are treasure troves reflecting the thoughts and struggles of entrepreneurs who drove Korea’s economic growth,” said an SK official. “The volume and age of the materials made the project particularly challenging, but new technologies enabled us to restore and preserve their quality.”

SK said it plans to use the digital archive to promote its core values and the SKMS philosophy across the group.

The project was launched in 2023, following the publication of the “70th Anniversary Quotes Collection” that same year.

By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)