(LEAD) SKT to form joint AI fund with Japanese, Taiwanese telecom operators

SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's SK Telecom Co. said Wednesday it has joined hands with major telecommunication operators from Japan and Taiwan to form a joint fund for investments in next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

SKT, Japan's NTT Inc. and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Co. have agreed to establish Catalight Capital, a company that will manage a joint fund of around US$500 million created by the three firms, SKT said.

Investments will target promising startups in North America, Asia and Europe, in various areas of the entire AI value chain, from cooling systems to AI chips and AI service applications.

Chip giant SK hynix Inc. is also preparing to participate, SKT added.

"We expect the fund will serve as an opportunity to connect the AI, ICT, semiconductor and network technology capabilities of East Asian countries, including South Korea and Japan, with the global innovation ecosystem," SKT said in a release.

Executives from SK Telecom Co., Japan's NTT Inc., Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Co. and Walden Catalyst Ventures pose for a photo after a press conference, in this photo provided by SKT on June 10, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)