Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2024

Commission File Number: 333-04906

 

 

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

65, Euljiro, Jung-gu

Seoul 04539, Korea

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ☒    Form 40-F 

 

 

 


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
(Registrant)

By: /s/ Hee Jun Chung

(Signature)
Name: Hee Jun Chung
Title: Vice President

Date: March 7, 2024


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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

(With the Independent Auditor’s Report Thereon)


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Independent Auditor’s Report

(English Translation of a Report Originally Issued in Korean)

The Shareholders and Board of Directors

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

Opinion

We have audited the accompanying separate financial statements of SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) which comprise the separate statements of financial position as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the separate statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and notes to the separate financial statements, including a summary of material accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying separate financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the separate financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and its separate financial performance and its separate cash flows for each for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the Republic of Korea (“KIFRS”).

We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the criteria established in Conceptual Framework for Designing and Operating Internal Control over Financial Reporting in accordance with the Korean Standards on Auditing (“KSA”) issued by the Operating Committee of internal control over financial reporting, and our report dated March 6, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audits in accordance with KSA. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the separate financial statements in the Republic of Korea, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key Audit Matter

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the separate financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the separate financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context.

Cut-off of revenues from the wireless services

As described in notes 3 (21) and 27 to the separate financial statements, the Company’s revenue from the wireless services is recognized based on data from a complex array of information technology systems which process a significant volume of transactions with its customers. Furthermore, the transactions involve a variety of contractual terms from new subscriptions to deactivations or churn, and changes of rate plans during the period. Therefore, we have identified timing of revenue recognition related to the Company’s wireless services as a key audit matter. Related revenue from the wireless services amounted to W10,554,390 million in 2023.

 

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The primary procedures we performed to address this key audit matter included:

 

   

Inspecting major contracts with subscribers to assess whether the Company’s revenue recognition policies based on the terms and conditions as set out in the contracts, are consistent with reference to the requirements of KIFRS 1115;

 

   

Testing internal controls relating to the timing of revenue recognition for the wireless services; and

 

   

Evaluating the appropriateness of the timing of revenue recognition by recalculating the prorated revenue based on the subscribed rate plan and comparing it with the billing information.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Separate Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the separate financial statements in accordance with KIFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of separate financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the separate financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the separate financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with KSA will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these separate financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with KSA, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 

   

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the separate financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

 

   

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances.

 

   

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

 

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Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the separate financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.

 

   

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the separate financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the separate financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine this matter that was of most significant in the audit of the separate financial statements of the current period and is therefore the key audit matter. We describe this matter in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Yoo, Jung Ho.

 

LOGO

March 6, 2024

 

This report is effective as of March 6, 2024, the independent auditor’s report date. Accordingly, certain material subsequent events or circumstances may have occurred during the period from the date of independent auditor’s report date to the time this report is used. Such events and circumstances could significantly affect the accompanying separate financial statements and may result in modifications to this report.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

SEPARATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

 

The accompanying separate financial statements, including all footnote disclosures, have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Company.

Ryu, Young-Sang

Chief Executive Officer

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Financial Position

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won)    Note      December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Assets

        

Current Assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     34,35      W 631,066        1,217,504  

Short-term financial instruments

     4,34,35        186,364        169,829  

Accounts receivable – trade, net

     5,34,35,36        1,495,617        1,425,695  

Short-term loans, net

     5,34,35,36        68,806        70,043  

Accounts receivable – other, net

     5,34,35,36,37        343,036        435,096  

Contract assets

     7,35        9,228        12,100  

Prepaid expenses

     6        1,828,646        1,908,987  

Guarantee deposits

     5,34,35,36        72,479        63,516  

Derivative financial assets

     19,34,35,38        —         123,999  

Inventories, net

        28,096        23,355  

Advanced payments and others

     5,34,35        40,506        48,336  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
         4,703,844        5,498,460  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets:

        

Long-term financial instruments

     4,34,35        354        354  

Long-term investment securities

     8,34,35        1,426,290        1,155,188  

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     9        4,670,568        4,621,807  

Property and equipment, net

     10,12,36        9,076,459        9,519,663  

Investment property, net

     11        46,080        52,023  

Goodwill

     13        1,306,236        1,306,236  

Intangible assets, net

     14        2,250,829        2,693,400  

Long-term loans, net

     5,34,35,36        119        194  

Long-term accounts receivable – other

     5,34,35,37        308,868        377,858  

Long-term contract assets

     7,35        12,385        20,998  

Long-term prepaid expenses

     6        898,754        935,710  

Guarantee deposits, net

     5,34,35,36        91,220        92,019  

Long-term derivative financial assets

     19,34,35,38        118,533        126,737  

Defined benefit assets

     18        85,144        31,225  

Other non-current assets

        249        249  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        20,292,088        20,933,661  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

      W 24,995,932        26,432,121  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

(Continued)

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Financial Position, Continued

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won)    Note      December 31,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

       

Current Liabilities:

       

Accounts payable – other

     34,35,36      W 1,794,997       2,334,484  

Contract liabilities

     7        59,814       80,654  

Withholdings

     34,35        608,352       604,681  

Accrued expenses

     34,35        911,460       871,095  

Income tax payable

     31        133,543       82,554  

Provisions

     17,39        31,313       31,651  

Short-term borrowings

     15,34,35,38        —        100,000  

Current portion of long-term debt, net

     15,34,35,38        1,249,516       1,383,097  

Lease liabilities

     34,35,36,38        341,075       337,320  

Current portion of long-term payables – other

     16,34,35,38        367,770       398,874  

Other current liabilities

     34,35        7,630       11,725  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        5,505,470       6,236,135  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities:

       

Debentures, excluding current portion, net

     15,34,35,38        5,807,423       5,705,873  

Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion, net

     15,34,35,38        250,000       640,000  

Long-term payables – other

     16,34,35,38        892,683       1,239,467  

Long-term contract liabilities

     7        4,398       12,745  

Long-term derivative financial liabilities

     19,34,35,38        295,876       302,593  

Long-term lease liabilities

     34,35,36,38        885,470       1,041,991  

Long-term provisions

     17        69,791       65,754  

Deferred tax liabilities

     31        801,995       754,321  

Other non-current liabilities

     34,35        46,733       49,860  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        9,054,369       9,812,604  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

        14,559,839       16,048,739  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

       

Share capital

     1,20        30,493       30,493  

Capital surplus and others

     20,21,22,23        (4,766,147     (4,506,693

Retained earnings

     24,25        15,032,473       14,691,461  

Reserves

     26        139,274       168,121  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Shareholder’s Equity

        10,436,093       10,383,382  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholder’s Equity

      W 24,995,932       26,432,121  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the separate financial statements.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Income

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won, except for earnings per share)    Note      2023     2022  

Operating revenue:

     27,36       

Revenue

      W 12,589,220       12,414,588  

Operating expenses:

     36       

Labor

        943,924       992,964  

Commissions

     6        4,831,879       4,792,121  

Depreciation and amortization

        2,698,436       2,693,630  

Network interconnection

        490,114       532,621  

Leased lines

        189,059       191,212  

Advertising

        174,403       161,294  

Rent

        127,182       121,067  

Cost of goods sold

        548,155       544,286  

Others

     28        1,130,198       1,064,262  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        11,133,350       11,093,457  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

        1,455,870       1,321,131  

Finance income

     30        342,646       134,965  

Finance costs

     30        (441,390     (387,606

Other non-operating income

     29        40,844       45,162  

Other non-operating expenses

     29        (24,019     (29,005

Gain (loss) relating to investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, net

     9        (19,012     61,603  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

        1,354,939       1,146,250  

Income tax expense

     31        295,189       276,760  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the year

      W 1,059,750       869,490  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

     32       

Basic earnings per share (in won)

      W 4,798       3,921  

Diluted earnings per share (in won)

        4,794       3,919  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the separate financial statements.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won)    Note      2023     2022  

Profit for the year

      W 1,059,750       869,490  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

       

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss, net of taxes:

       

Remeasurement of defined benefit assets

     18        43,656       (4,899

Valuation loss on financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

     26,30        (39,221     (481,023

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss, net of taxes:

       

Net change in unrealized fair value of derivatives

     19,26,30        (11,488     (13,792
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of taxes

        (7,053     (499,714
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

      W 1,052,697       369,776  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the separate financial statements.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Changes in Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won)                                                         
                   Capital surplus and others     Retained
earnings
    Reserves        
     Note      Share
capital
     Paid-in
surplus
     Treasury
shares
    Hybrid bonds     Share option     Other     Sub-total     Total
equity
 

Balance as of January 1, 2022

      W 30,493        1,771,000        (57,314     398,759       47,166       (6,735,882     (4,576,271     14,770,618       638,016       10,862,856  

Total comprehensive income (loss):

                         

Profit for the year

        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        869,490       —        869,490  

Other comprehensive loss

     18,19,26,30        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (29,819     (469,895     (499,714
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        839,671       (469,895     369,776  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners:

                         

Annual dividends

     33        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (361,186     —        (361,186

Interim dividends

     33        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (542,876     —        (542,876

Share option

     23        —         —         —        —        47,129       25,132       72,261       —        —        72,261  

Interest on hybrid bonds

     22        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (14,766     —        (14,766

Transactions of treasury shares

     21        —         —         20,612       —        (92,234     68,939       (2,683     —        —        (2,683
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        —         —         20,612       —        (45,105     94,071       69,578       (918,828     —        (849,250
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

      W 30,493        1,771,000        (36,702     398,759       2,061       (6,641,811     (4,506,693     14,691,461       168,121       10,383,382  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2023

      W 30,493        1,771,000        (36,702     398,759       2,061       (6,641,811     (4,506,693     14,691,461       168,121       10,383,382  

Total comprehensive income (loss):

                         

Profit for the year

        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        1,059,750       —        1,059,750  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     18,19,26,30        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        21,794       (28,847     (7,053
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        1,081,544       (28,847     1,052,697  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners:

                         

Annual dividends

     33        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (180,967     —        (180,967

Interim dividends

     33        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (542,282     —        (542,282

Share option

     23        —         —         —        —        7,757       (600     7,157       —        —        7,157  

Interest on hybrid bonds

     22        —         —         —        —        —        —        —        (17,283     —        (17,283

Repayments of hybrid bonds

     22        —         —         —        (398,759     —        (1,241     (400,000     —        —        (400,000

Issuance of hybrid bonds

     22        —         —         —        398,509       —        —        398,509       —        —        398,509  

Transactions of treasury shares

     21        —         —         (265,279     —        —        159       (265,120     —        —        (265,120
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        —         —         (265,279     (250     7,757       (1,682     (259,454     (740,532     —        (999,986
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

      W 30,493        1,771,000        (301,981     398,509       9,818       (6,643,493     (4,766,147     15,032,473       139,274       10,436,093  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the separate financial statements.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won)   Note     2023     2022  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Cash generated from operating activities:

     

Profit for the year

    W 1,059,750       869,490  

Adjustments for income and expenses

    38       3,334,194       3,470,169  

Changes in assets and liabilities related to operating activities

    38       (148,374     214,858  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      4,245,570       4,554,517  

Interest received

      32,673       31,516  

Dividends received

      208,026       50,927  

Interest paid

      (283,654     (220,723

Income tax paid

      (194,275     (343,956
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

      4,008,340       4,072,281  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Cash inflows from investing activities:

     

Decrease in short-term financial instruments, net

      —        201,376  

Collection of short-term loans

      126,398       115,121  

Decrease in long-term financial instruments

      —        330,032  

Proceeds from disposals of long-term investment securities

      17,939       55,114  

Proceeds from disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

      26,819       382,114  

Proceeds from disposals of non-current assets held for sale

      —        20,136  

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

      9,731       12,795  

Proceeds from disposals of intangible assets

      4,423       3,680  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      185,310       1,120,368  

Cash outflows for investing activities:

     

Increase in short-term financial instruments, net

      (11,115     —   

Increase in short-term loans

      (125,072     (122,506

Increase in long-term financial instruments

      —        (330,032

Acquisitions of long-term investment securities

      (284,509     (372,672

Acquisitions of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

      (90,355     (93,215

Acquisitions of property and equipment

      (1,977,806     (2,074,860

Acquisitions of intangible assets

      (67,459     (91,914
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (2,556,316     (3,085,199
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

      W(2,371,006     (1,964,831
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Continued)

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Separate Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

(In millions of won)    Note      2023      2022  

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Cash inflows from financing activities:

        

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

      W —         100,000  

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

        —         440,000  

Proceeds from issuance of debentures

        941,185        1,050,820  

Cash inflows from settlement of derivatives

        126,000        768  

Proceeds from issuance of hybrid bonds

        398,509        —   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        1,465,694        1,591,588  

Cash outflows for financing activities:

        

Repayments of short-term borrowings

        (100,000      —   

Repayments of long-term borrowings

        (100,000      (7,096

Repayments of long-term payables – other

        (400,245      (400,245

Repayments of debentures

        (1,309,000      (970,000

Payments of dividends

        (723,215      (904,020

Repayments of hybrid bonds

        (400,000      —   

Payments of interest on hybrid bonds

        (17,283      (14,766

Repayments of lease liabilities

        (354,235      (344,199

Acquisition of treasury shares

        (285,487      —   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        (3,689,465      (2,640,326
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

        (2,223,771      (1,048,738
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

        (586,437      1,058,712  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

        1,217,504        158,823  

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

        (1      (31
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

      W 631,066        1,217,504  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the separate financial statements.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

1.

Reporting Entity

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (“the Company”) was incorporated on March 29, 1984, under the laws of the Republic of Korea (“Korea”) to provide cellular telephone communication services in Korea. The head office of the Company is located at 65, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea.

The Company’s common shares are listed on the Stock Market of Korea Exchange, and its depositary receipts (DRs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of the Company resolved to cancel the listing of the Company’s DRs on the London Stock Exchange on June 22, 2023, and the DRs were delisted from the London Stock Exchange as of July 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s total issued shares are held by the following shareholders:

 

     Number of
shares
     Percentage of
total shares issued (%)
 

SK Inc.

     65,668,397        30.01  

National Pension Service

     16,330,409        7.46  

Institutional investors and other shareholders

     126,854,437        57.97  

Kakao Investment Co., Ltd.

     3,846,487        1.76  

Treasury shares

     6,133,414        2.80  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     218,833,144        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2.

Basis of Preparation

These separate financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the Republic of Korea (“KIFRS”), as prescribed in the Act on External Audits of Stock Companies of Korea. The accompanying separate financial statements have been translated into English from Korean financial statements. In the event of any differences in interpreting the financial statements or the independent auditor’s report thereon, Korean version, which is used for regulatory reporting purposes, shall prevail.

These financial statements are separate financial statements prepared in accordance with KIFRS 1027, Separate Financial Statements, presented by a parent and an investor with joint control of or significant influence over an investee, in which the investments are accounted for at cost less impairment, if any.

The separate financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors on February 2, 2024, which will be submitted for final approval at the shareholders’ meeting to be held on March 26, 2024.

 

  (1)

Basis of measurement

The separate financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the following material items in the separate statement of financial position:

 

   

derivative financial instruments measured at fair value;

 

   

financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”);

 

   

financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”);

 

   

liabilities measured at fair value for cash-settled share-based payment arrangement; and

 

   

liabilities (assets) for defined benefit plans recognized at the total present value of defined benefit obligations less the fair value of plan assets.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

2.

Basis of Preparation, Continued

 

  (2)

Functional and presentation currency

These separate financial statements are presented in Korean won, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates.

 

  (3)

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of the separate financial statements in conformity with KIFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period prospectively.

1) Critical judgments

Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effects on the amounts recognized in the separate financial statements is included in notes for the following areas: financial risk management.

2) Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment within the next financial year is included in the following notes: loss allowance (notes 5 and 35), estimated useful lives of costs to obtain a contract (notes 3 (21), and 6), property and equipment and intangible assets (notes 3 (7), (8), 10 and 14), impairment of goodwill (notes 3 (10) and 13), recognition of provision (notes 3 (15) and 17), measurement of defined benefit liabilities (notes 3 (14) and 18), transaction of derivative instruments (notes 3 (6) and 19) and recognition of deferred tax assets (liabilities) (notes 3 (23) and 31).

3) Fair value measurement

A number of the Company’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. The Company has established policies and processes with respect to the measurement of fair values including Level 3 fair values, and the measurement of fair values is reviewed and is directly reported to the finance executives.

The Company regularly reviews significant unobservable inputs and valuation adjustments. If third party information, such as broker quotes or pricing services, is used to measure fair values, then the Company assesses the evidence obtained from the third parties to support the conclusion that such valuations meet the requirements of KIFRS, including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which such valuations should be classified.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

2.

Basis of Preparation, Continued

 

  (3)

Use of estimates and judgments, Continued

3) Fair value measurement, Continued

 

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Company uses market observable data as far as possible. Fair values are categorized into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:

 

   

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

 

   

Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement. The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

Information about assumptions used for fair value measurements is included in note 19 and note 35.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies

The material accounting policies applied by the Company in the preparation of its separate financial statements in accordance with KIFRS are included below. Except for certain standards and amendments which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the material accounting policies applied by the Company in these separate financial statements are the same as those applied by the Company in its separate financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company has not early adopted any standards, and interpretations or amendments that have been issued but are not yet effective.

The new and amended standards and interpretations that are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023 are as follows. These amended standards had no material impact on the Company’s separate financial statements.

 

   

Disclosure of Accounting Polices (Amendments to KIFRS 1001)

 

   

Disclosures of Profit or Loss on Financial Liabilities with Conditions for Adjusting an Exercise Price (Amendments to KIFRS 1001)

 

   

Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to KIFRS 1008)

 

   

Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities Arising from a Single Transaction (Amendments to KIFRS 1012)

 

   

KIFRS 1117 Insurance Contracts and its amendments

 

   

International tax reform - Pillar Two model rules (Amendments to KIFRS 1012)

The Pillar Two model rules is scheduled to take effect for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024. As the Company falls within the scope of the enacted Pillar Two model rules, it has assessed the potential exposure to Pillar Two income tax. The assessment of potential exposure to Pillar Two income tax is based on the most recent tax returns of the Company’s ultimate controlling entity group, country-by-country reporting, and financial statements. The Company expects that the exposure to Pillar Two income tax will be immaterial.

 

  (1)

Operating segments

The Company presents disclosures relating to operating segments on its consolidated financial statements in accordance with KIFRS 1108, Operating Segments, and such disclosures are not separately disclosed on these separate financial statements.

 

  (2)

Investments in subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures

These separate financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with KIFRS 1027, Separate Financial Statements. The Company applies the cost method to investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures in accordance with KIFRS 1027. Dividends from subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures are recognized in profit or loss when the right to receive the dividends is established.

The assets and liabilities acquired under business combination under common control are recognized at the carrying amounts in the ultimate controlling shareholder’s consolidated financial statements. The difference between consideration and carrying amount of net assets acquired is added to or subtracted from capital surplus and others.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (3)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, call deposits, and investment securities with maturities of three months or less from the acquisition date that are easily convertible to cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in their fair value.

 

  (4)

Inventories

Inventories are initially recognized at the acquisition cost and subsequently measured using the average method. During the period, a perpetual inventory system is used to track inventory quantities, which is adjusted based on the physical inventory counts performed at the period end. When the net realizable value of inventories is less than cost, the carrying amount is reduced to the net realizable value, and any difference is charged to current period as operating expenses.

 

  (5)

Non-derivative financial assets

 

  1)

Recognition and initial measurement

Accounts receivable – trade and debt investments issued are initially recognized when they are originated. All other financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

A financial asset (unless an accounts receivable – trade without a significant financing component) or financial liability is initially measured at fair value plus, for an item not at FVTPL, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. An accounts receivable – trade without a significant financing component is initially measured at the transaction price.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (5)

Non-derivative financial assets, Continued

 

  2)

Classification and subsequent measurement

On initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at:

 

   

FVTPL

 

   

FVOCI – equity investment

 

   

FVOCI – debt investment

 

   

Financial assets at amortized cost

A financial asset is classified based on the business model in which a financial asset is managed and its contractual cash flow characteristics.

Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the Company changes its business model for managing financial assets, in which case all affected financial assets are reclassified on the first day of the first reporting period following the change in the business model.

A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:

 

   

it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and

 

   

its contractual terms give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding on specified dates.

A debt investment is measured at FVOCI if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:

 

   

it is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and

 

   

its contractual terms give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding on specified dates.

On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, the Company may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in the investment’s fair value in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). This election is made on an investment-by-investment basis.

All financial assets not classified as measured at amortized cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVTPL. This includes all derivative financial assets. On initial recognition, the Company may irrevocably designate a financial asset that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at amortized cost or at FVOCI as at FVTPL if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (5)

Non-derivative financial assets, Continued

2) Classification and subsequent measurement, Continued

 

The following accounting policies are applied to the subsequent measurement of financial assets.

 

     Financial assets at FVTPL       These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses, including any interest or dividend income, are recognized in profit or loss.
  Financial assets at amortized cost       These assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The amortized cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is recognized in profit or loss.
  Debt investments at FVOCI       These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Interest income calculated using the effective interest method, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Other net gains and losses are recognized in OCI. On derecognition, gains and losses accumulated in OCI are reclassified to profit or loss.
  Equity investments at FVOCI       These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are recognized as income in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of the cost of the investment. Other net gains and losses are recognized in OCI and are never reclassified to profit or loss.

 

  3)

Impairment

The Company estimates the expected credit losses (“ECL”) for the debt instruments measured at amortized cost and FVOCI based on the Company’s historical experience and informed credit assessment that includes forward-looking information. The impairment approach is decided based on the assessment of whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition. However, the Company applies a practical expedient and recognizes impairment losses equal to lifetime ECLs for accounts receivable – trade and lease receivables from the initial recognition.

ECL is a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash shortfalls (i.e., the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Company expects to receive).

At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether financial assets measured at amortized cost and debt investments at FVOCI are credit-impaired. A financial asset is ‘credit-impaired’ when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.

Loss allowance on financial assets measured at amortized cost is deducted from the carrying amount of the respective assets, while loss allowance on debt instruments at FVOCI is recognized in OCI, instead of reducing the carrying amount of the assets.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (5)

Non-derivative financial assets, Continued

 

  4)

Derecognition

Financial assets

The Company derecognizes a financial asset when:

 

   

the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire; or

 

   

it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which either:

 

   

substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred; or

 

   

the Company neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not retain control of the financial asset.

The Company enters into transactions whereby it transfers assets recognized in its statement of financial position, but retains either all or substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets. In these cases, the transferred assets are not derecognized.

Interest rate benchmark reform

When the basis for determining the contractual cash flows of a financial asset or financial liability measured at amortized cost changed as a result of interest rate benchmark reform, the Company updated the effective interest rate of the financial asset or financial liability to reflect the change that is required by the reform. A change in the basis for determining the contractual cash flows is required by interest rate benchmark reform if the following conditions are met:

 

   

the change is necessary as a direct consequence of the reform; and

 

   

the new basis for determining the contractual cash flows is economically equivalent to the previous basis – i.e., the basis immediately before the change.

When changes were made to a financial asset or financial liability in addition to changes to the basis for determining the contractual cash flows required by interest rate benchmark reform, the Company first updated the effective interest rate of the financial asset or financial liability to reflect the change that is required by interest rate benchmark reform. After that, the Company applied the policies on accounting for modifications to the additional changes.

 

  5)

Offsetting

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is presented in the statement of financial position when the Company currently has a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis or to settle the liability and realize the asset simultaneously.

A financial asset and a financial liability are offset only when the right to set off the amount is not contingent on future event and legally enforceable even on the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (6)

Derivative financial instruments, including hedge accounting

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, and changes therein are accounted for as described below.

 

  1)

Hedge accounting

The Company holds forward exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, currency swaps and other derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk. The Company designates derivatives as hedging instruments to hedge the variability in cash flow associated with highly probable forecasted transactions or firm commitments (a cash flow hedge).

On initial designation of the hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the hedging instrument(s) and hedged item(s), including the risk management objectives and strategy in undertaking the hedge transaction, together with the methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationship.

Hedges directly affected by interest rate benchmark reform

When uncertainty arises about the interest rate benchmark designated as a hedged risk and the timing or the amount of the interest rate benchmark-based cash flows of the hedged item or of the hedging instrument as a result of IBOR reform, for the purpose of evaluating whether there is an economic relationship between the hedged items and the hedging instruments, the Company assumes that the interest rate benchmark on which the hedged items and the hedging instruments are based is not altered as a result of interest rate benchmark reform.

For a cash flow hedge of a forecast transaction, the Company assumes that the benchmark interest rate will not be altered as a result of interest rate benchmark reform for the purpose of assessing whether the forecast transaction is highly probable and determining whether a previously designated forecast transaction in a discontinued cash flow hedge is still expected to occur.

The Company will cease applying the specific policy for assessing the economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument

 

   

to a hedged item or hedging instrument when the uncertainty arising from interest rate benchmark reform is no longer present with respect to the timing and the amount of the interest rate benchmark-based cash flows of the respective item or instrument; or

 

   

when the hedging relationship is discontinued.

When the basis for determining the contractual cash flows of the hedged item or hedging instrument changes as a result of IBOR reform and therefore there is no longer uncertainty arising about the cash flows of the hedged item or the hedging instrument, the Company amends the hedge documentation of that hedging relationship to reflect the change(s) required by IBOR reform.

The Company amends the formal hedge documentation by the end of the reporting period during which a change required by IBOR reform is made to the hedged risk, hedged item or hedging instrument. These amendments in the formal hedge documentation do not constitute the discontinuation of the hedging relationship or the designation of a new hedging relationship.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (6)

Derivative financial instruments, including hedge accounting, Continued

1) Hedge accounting, Continued

 

Hedges directly affected by interest rate benchmark reform, Continued

If changes are made in addition to those changes required by interest rate benchmark reform to the financial asset or financial liability designated in a hedging relationship or to the designation of the hedging relationship, the Company determines whether those additional changes result in the discontinuation of hedging accounting. If the additional changes do not result in the discontinuation of hedging accounting, the Company amend the formal designation of the hedging relationship.

When the interest rate benchmark on which the hedged future cash flows had been based is changed as required by IBOR reform, for the purpose of determining whether the hedged future cash flows are expected to occur, the Company deems that the hedging reserve recognized in OCI for that hedging relationship is based on the alternative benchmark rate on which the hedged future cash flows will be based.

Cash flow hedge

When a derivative is designated to hedge the variability in cash flows attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecasted transaction that could affect profit or loss, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and presented in the hedging reserve in equity. Any ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized immediately in profit or loss. If the hedging instrument no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, or the designation is revoked, then hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively. The cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument that has been recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss in the periods during which the forecasted transaction occurs. If the forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, then the balance in other comprehensive income is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

  2)

Other derivative financial instruments

Other derivative financial instrument not designated as a hedging instrument are measured at fair value, and the changes in fair value of the derivative financial instrument is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (7)

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are initially measured at cost. The cost of property and equipment includes expenditures arising directly from the construction or acquisition of the asset, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management, and the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

Property and equipment, subsequently, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of property and equipment at cost or, if appropriate, as a separate item if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be reliably measured. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Property and equipment, except for land, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives that appropriately reflect the pattern in which the asset’s future economic benefits are expected to be consumed. A component that is significant compared to the total cost of property and equipment is depreciated over its separate useful life.

Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property and equipment and are recognized as other non-operating income (loss).

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (7)

Property and equipment, Continued

 

The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:

 

     Useful lives (years)

Buildings and structures

   15, 30

Machinery

   3 ~ 8, 10, 30

Other property and equipment

   4 ~10

The Company reviews estimated residual values, expected useful lives, and depreciation methods annually at the end of each reporting date and adjusts, if appropriate. The change is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.

 

  (8)

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured initially at cost and, subsequently, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets, except for goodwill, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets from the date that they are available for use. The residual value of intangible assets is zero. However, club memberships are expected to be available for use as there are no foreseeable limits to the periods. These intangible assets are determined as having indefinite useful lives and, therefore, not amortized.

The estimated useful lives of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows:

 

     Useful lives (years)

Frequency usage rights

   5 ~ 10

Land usage rights

   5

Industrial rights

   5, 10

Facility usage rights

   10, 20

Other

   3 ~ 20

Amortization periods and the amortization methods for intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed at the end of each reporting period. The useful lives of intangible assets that are not being amortized are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support indefinite useful life assessments for those assets. Changes, if appropriate, are accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.

Expenditures on research activities are recognized in profit or loss as incurred. Development expenditures are capitalized only if development costs can be reliably measured, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Company intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. Other development expenditures are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Subsequent expenditures are capitalized only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditures, including expenditures on internally generated goodwill and brands, are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (9)

Investment property

Investment properties are properties held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation. Investment properties are measured initially at cost, including transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent expenditures are recognized in carrying amount of an asset or as a separate asset if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the assets will flow into the Company and the cost of an asset can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of those parts that are replaced is derecognized. The costs associated with routine maintenance and repairs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Investment property, except for land, is depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 30 years. In addition, right-of-use asset classified as investment property is depreciated using the straight-line basis from the commencement date to the end of the lease term.

The depreciation method, estimated useful lives and residual values are reviewed at the end of each reporting date and adjusted, if appropriate. The change is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (10)

Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Company’s non-financial assets other than contract assets recognized for revenue arising from contracts with a customer, assets recognized for the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer, employee benefits, inventories, deferred tax assets, and non-current assets held for sale are reviewed at the end of the reporting period to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives or that are not yet available for use, irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, are tested for impairment annually by comparing their recoverable amounts to their carrying amounts.

The Company estimates the recoverable amount of an individual asset, and if it is impossible to measure the individual recoverable amount of an asset, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of cash-generating unit (“CGU”). A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. The value in use is estimated by applying a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU, for which estimated future cash flows have not been adjusted, to the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss to the extent the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its recoverable amount.

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each CGU that is expected to benefit from the synergy arising from the business acquired. Any impairment identified at the CGU level will first reduce the carrying amount of goodwill and then be used to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis. Except for impairment losses in respect of goodwill which are never reversed, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (11)

Leases

A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

 

  1)

Company as a lessee

At commencement or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of its relative stand-alone prices. However, the Company has elected not to separate non-lease components and account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line basis from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company will exercise a purchase option. In that case the right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external financing sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following:

 

   

fixed payments, including in-substance fixed payments;

 

   

variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date;

 

   

amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and

 

   

the exercise price under a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Company is reasonably certain not to terminate early.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (11)

Leases, Continued

1) Company as a lessee, Continued

 

The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, if there is a change in the Company’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, if the Company changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option or if there is a revised in-substance fixed lease payment.

When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

The Company presents right-of-use assets that do not meet the definition of investment property in ‘property and equipment’ in the statement of financial position.

The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases. The Company recognizes the lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low value assets as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

  2)

Company as a lessor

At inception or on modification of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices.

When the Company acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance lease or an operating lease.

To classify each lease, the Company makes an overall assessment of whether the lease transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset. If this is the case, then the lease is a finance lease; if not, then it is an operating lease. As part of this assessment, the Company considers certain indicators such as whether the lease is for the major part of the economic life of the asset.

When the Company is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for its interests in the head lease and the sub-lease separately. It assesses the lease classification of a sub-lease with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, not with reference to the underlying asset. If a head lease is a short-term lease to which the Company applies the exemption described above, then it classifies the sub-lease as an operating lease.

If an arrangement contains lease and non-lease components, then the Company applies KIFRS 1115 to allocate the consideration in the contract.

The Company applies derecognition and impairment requirements in KIFRS 1109 to the net investment in the lease. The Company further regularly reviews estimated unguaranteed residual values used in calculating the gross investment in the lease.

The Company recognizes lease payments received under operating leases as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term as part of ‘other revenue’.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (12)

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, that are expected to be recovered primarily through sales rather than through continuing use, are classified as held for sale. In order to be classified as held for sale, the assets (or disposal groups) must be available for immediate sale in their present condition and their sale must be highly probable. The assets or disposal groups that are classified as non-current assets held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amounts and fair value less cost to sell. The Company recognizes an impairment loss for any initial or subsequent write-down of assets (or disposal groups) to fair value less costs to sell and a gain for any subsequent increase in fair value less costs to sell up to the cumulative impairment loss previously recognized.

A non-current asset that is classified as held for sale or part of a disposal group classified as held for sale is not depreciated (or amortized).

 

  (13)

Non-derivative financial liabilities

The Company classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or other financial liabilities in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement. The Company recognizes financial liabilities in the separate statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial liabilities.

 

  1)

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading or designated as such upon initial recognition. Subsequent to initial recognition, these liabilities are measured at fair value. The amount of change in fair value of financial liability that is attributable to changes in the credit risk of that liability shall be presented in other comprehensive income, and the remaining amount of change in the fair value of the liability shall be presented in profit or loss. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of the financial liability are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

  2)

Other financial liabilities

Non-derivative financial liabilities other than financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are classified as other financial liabilities. At the date of initial recognition, other financial liabilities are measured at fair value minus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issue of the financial liabilities. Subsequent to initial recognition, other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost and the interest expenses are recognized using the effective interest method.

 

  3)

Derecognition of financial liability

The Company extinguishes a financial liability only when the contractual obligation is fulfilled, canceled or expires. The Company recognizes new financial liabilities at fair value based on new contracts and eliminates existing liabilities when the contractual terms of the financial liabilities change and the cash flows change substantially.

When a financial liability is derecognized, the difference between the carrying amount and the consideration paid(including any transferred non-cash assets or liabilities assumed) is recognized in profit or loss.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (14)

Employee benefits

 

  1)

Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits are employee benefits that are due to be settled within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render related services. When an employee has rendered a service to the Company during an accounting period, the Company recognizes the undiscounted amount of short-term employee benefits expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

 

  2)

Other long-term employee benefits

Other long-term employee benefits include employee benefits that are settled beyond 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render related services. The Company’s net obligation in respect of long-term employee benefits is the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. That benefit is discounted to determine its present value. Remeasurements are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

 

  3)

Retirement benefits: defined contribution plans

When an employee has rendered a service to the Company during a period, the Company recognizes the contribution payable to a defined contribution plan in exchange for that service as a liability (accrued expense), after deducting any contribution already paid. If the contribution already paid exceeds the contribution due for service before the end of the reporting period, the Company recognizes that excess as an asset (prepaid expense) to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

 

  4)

Retirement benefits: defined benefit plans

At the end of reporting period, defined benefit liabilities (assets) relating to defined benefit plans are recognized at present value of defined benefit obligations net of fair value of plan assets.

The calculation is performed annually by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the fair value of plan assets exceeds the present value of the defined benefit obligation, the Company recognizes an asset, to the extent of the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reduction in the future contributions to the plan.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability (asset), which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in other comprehensive income. The Company determines net interests on net defined benefit liability (asset) by multiplying discount rate determined at the beginning of the annual reporting period and considers changes in net defined benefit liability (asset) from contributions and benefit payments. Net interest costs and other costs relating to the defined benefit plan are recognized through profit or loss.

When the plan amendment or curtailment occurs, gains or losses on amendment or curtailment in benefits for the past service provided are recognized through profit or loss. The Company recognizes a gain or loss on a settlement when the settlement of defined benefit plan occurs.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (15)

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the best estimate of a provision. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined at the present value of the expected future cash flows.

If some or all of the expenditures required to settle a provision are expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement is recognized when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement is treated as a separate asset.

Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimates. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.

A provision is used only for expenditures for which the provision was originally recognized.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (16)

Emissions Rights

The Company accounts for greenhouse gases emission right and the relevant liability as below pursuant to the Act on Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse Gas Emission in Korea.

 

  1)

Greenhouse Gases Emission Right

Greenhouse Gases Emission Right consists of emission allowances, which are allocated from the government free of charge or purchased from the market. The cost includes any directly attributable costs incurred during the normal course of business.

The Company derecognizes an emission right asset when the emission allowance is unusable, disposed or submitted to government in which the future economic benefits are no longer expected to be probable.

 

  2)

Emissions liability

Emission liability is a present obligation of submitting emission rights to the government with regard to emission of greenhouse gas. The emission liability is measured based on the expected quantity of emission for the performing period in excess of emission allowance in possession and the unit price for such emission rights in the market at the end of the reporting period. The emissions liabilities are derecognized when they are surrendered to the government.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (17)

Transactions in foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency of the Company at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency using the exchange rate at the reporting date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined.

Exchange differences arising from monetary items except for financial liabilities designated cashflow hedging instruments are recognized in profit or loss. If a gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognized in other comprehensive income, any foreign exchange differences are also recognized in other comprehensive income. When a gain or loss on a non-monetary item is recognized in profit or loss, any foreign exchange differences are also recognized in profit or loss.

 

  (18)

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of ordinary shares and share options are recognized as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.

When the Company repurchases its own shares, the amount of the consideration paid is recognized as a deduction from equity and classified as treasury shares. The gains or losses from the purchase, disposal, reissue, or retirement of treasury shares are directly recognized in equity being as transaction with owners.

 

  (19)

Hybrid bond

The Company recognizes a financial instrument issued by the Company as an equity instrument if it does not include contractual obligation to deliver financial assets including cash to the counter party.

 

  (20)

Share-based payment

For equity-settled share-based payment transaction, if the fair value of the goods or services received cannot be reliably estimated, the Company measures the value indirectly by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted. The related expense with a corresponding increase in capital surplus and others is recognized over the vesting period of the awards.

The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date.

The fair value of the amount payable to employees in respect of share appreciation rights, which are settled in cash, is recognized as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to payment. The liability is remeasured at each reporting date and at settlement date based on the fair value of the share appreciation rights. Any changes in the fair value of the liability are recognized in profit or loss.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (21)

Revenue

 

  1)

Identification of performance obligations in contracts with customers

The Company identifies the distinct services or goods as performance obligations in contracts with customers such as (1) providing wireless telecommunications services and (2) sale other goods and services. In the case of providing both wireless telecommunications service and selling a handset together to one customer, the Company allocates considerations from the customer between the separate performance obligations for handset sale and wireless telecommunications service. The handset sale revenue is recognized when handset is delivered, and the wireless telecommunications service revenue is recognized over the period of the contract term as stated in the subscription contract.

 

  2)

Allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation

The Company allocates the transaction price of a contract to each performance obligation identified on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. The Company uses “adjusted market assessment approach” for estimating the stand-alone selling price of a good or service.

 

  3)

Incremental costs of obtaining a contract

The Company pays commissions to its retail stores and authorized dealers in connection with acquiring service contracts. The commissions paid to these parties constituted a significant portion of the Company’s operating expenses. These commissions would not have been paid if there have been no binding contracts with subscribers and, therefore, the Company capitalizes certain costs associated with commissions paid to obtain new customer contracts and amortize them over the expected contract periods.

 

  4)

Customer loyalty programs

The Company provides customer loyalty points to customers based on the usage of the service to which the Company allocates a portion of consideration received as a performance obligation distinct from wireless telecommunications services. The amount to be allocated to the loyalty program is measured according to the relative stand-alone selling price of the customer loyalty points. The amount allocated to the loyalty program is deferred as a contract liability and is recognized as revenue when loyalty points are redeemed.

 

  5)

Consideration payable to a customer

Based on the subscription contract, a customer who uses the Company’s wireless telecommunications services may receive a discount for purchasing goods or services from a designated third party. The Company pays a portion of the price discounts that the customer receives to the third party which is viewed as consideration payable to a customer. The Company accounts for the amounts payable to the third party as a reduction of the wireless telecommunications service revenue.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (22)

Finance income and finance costs

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested (including financial assets measured at fair value), dividend income, gains on disposal of financial assets at FVTPL, changes in fair value of financial instruments at FVTPL, and gains on hedging instruments that are recognized in profit or loss. Interest income is recognized as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest rate method. Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss when the right to receive the dividend is established.

Finance costs comprise interest expense on borrowings and debentures, changes in fair value of financial instruments at FVTPL, and losses on hedging instruments that are recognized in profit or loss. Interest expense on borrowings and debentures is recognized as it accrues in profit or loss using the effective interest rate method.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (23)

Income taxes

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in OCI.

The Company pays income tax in accordance with the tax-consolidation system when the Company and its subsidiaries are economically unified.

 

  1)

Current tax

In accordance with the tax-consolidation system, the Company calculates current taxes on the consolidated taxable income for the Company and its subsidiaries that meet the criteria for the consolidated income tax returns and recognizes the income tax payable as current tax liabilities of the Company.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period, and includes interests and fines related to income taxes paid or payable. The taxable profit is different from the accounting profit for the period since the taxable profit is calculated excluding the temporary differences, which will be taxable or deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss) of future periods, and non-taxable or non-deductible items from the accounting profit.

 

  2)

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is recognized by using the asset-liability method in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The Company recognizes a deferred tax liability for all taxable temporary differences, except for the difference associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates that the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The Company recognizes a deferred tax asset for all deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized.

A deferred tax asset is recognized for the carryforward of unused tax losses and unused tax credits to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses and unused tax credits can be utilized. Future taxable profit is dependent on the reversal of taxable temporary differences. If there are insufficient taxable temporary differences to recognize the deferred tax asset, the business plan of the Company and the reversal of existing temporary differences are considered in determining the future taxable profit.

The Company reviews the carrying amount of a deferred tax asset at the end of each reporting period and reduces the carrying amount to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

3.

Material Accounting Policies, Continued

 

  (23)

Income taxes, Continued

2) Deferred tax, Continued

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if the Company has a legally enforceable right to offset the amount recognized and intends to settle the current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis. Income tax expense in relation to dividend payments is recognized when liabilities relating to the dividend payments are recognized.

 

  3)

Uncertainty over income tax treatments

The Company assesses the uncertainty over income tax treatments pursuant to KIFRS 1012. If the Company concludes it is not probable that the taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment, the Company reflects the effect of uncertainty for each uncertain tax treatment by using either of the following methods, depending on which method the entity expects to better predict the resolution of the uncertainty:

 

   

The most likely amount - the single most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes.

 

   

The expected value - the sum of the probability-weighted amounts in a range of possible outcomes.

 

  (24)

Earnings per share

The Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) data for its ordinary shares. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for own shares held. Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, adjusted for own shares held, for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, which comprise share options granted to employees, if any.

 

  (25)

Standards issued but not yet effective

The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective for annual period beginning after January 1, 2023 are disclosed below. The following amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s separate financial statements.

 

   

Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to KIFRS 1001).

 

   

Disclosures of Information on Supplier Finance Arrangements (Amendments to KIFRS 1007 and KIFRS 1107)

 

   

Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback (Amendments to KIFRS 1116)

 

   

Disclosures of Crypto assets (Amendments to KIFRS 1001)

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

4.

Deposits with Restrictions on Use

Deposits which are restricted in use as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

(In millions of won)                
        December 31, 2023     December 31, 2022  

Short-term financial instruments

  Charitable trust fund(*1)   W 79,000       79,000  
  Litigations-related seizure(*2)     —        14  

Long-term financial instruments

  Collateral deposits for time deposit(*3)     130       130  
  Guarantee deposit     12       12  
  Collateral deposit(*4)     212       212  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    W  79,354       79,368  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The charitable trust fund is for shared growth established by SK Group and profits from the charitable trust fund are only used for the purpose of financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises that cooperate with SK Group. As of December 31, 2023, the funds cannot be withdrawn before maturity (W63,000 million on July 5, 2024 and W16,000 million on July 10, 2024).

(*2)

The deposit is restricted in use due to the court’s order for seizure and collection of bonds.

(*3)

The deposit is for registration of electrical construction business and specialized energy construction business in accordance with Enforcement Decree of the Electrical Constriction Business Act and Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Construction Industry, respectively. Accordingly, the deposit is restricted in use while the Company operates the businesses.

(*4)

The deposit is for registration of mechanical facility construction business and general construction business in accordance with Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Construction Industry. Accordingly, the deposit is restricted in use while the Company operates the businesses.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

5.

Trade and Other Receivables

 

  (1)

Details of trade and other receivables as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2023  
     Gross amount      Loss allowance      Carrying amount  

Current assets:

        

Accounts receivable – trade

   W   1,589,862        (94,245      1,495,617  

Short-term loans

     69,501        (695      68,806  

Accounts receivable – other(*)

     370,860        (27,824      343,036  

Guarantee deposits

     72,479               72,479  

Accrued income

     2,643               2,643  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,105,345        (122,764      1,982,581  

Non-current assets:

        

Long-term loans

     41,155        (41,036      119  

Long-term accounts receivable – other(*)

     308,868               308,868  

Guarantee deposits

     91,220               91,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     441,243        (41,036      400,207  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 2,546,588        (163,800      2,382,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(*) Gross and carrying amounts of accounts receivable – other as of December 31, 2023 include W273,945 million of financial instruments classified as fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”).

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2022  
     Gross amount      Loss allowance      Carrying amount  

Current assets:

        

Accounts receivable – trade

   W   1,511,926        (86,231      1,425,695  

Short-term loans

     70,751        (708      70,043  

Accounts receivable – other(*)

     467,800        (32,704      435,096  

Guarantee deposits

     63,516        —         63,516  

Accrued income

     1,168        —         1,168  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,115,161        (119,643)        1,995,518  

Non-current assets:

        

Long-term loans

     41,231        (41,037      194  

Long-term accounts receivable – other(*)

     377,858        —         377,858  

Guarantee deposits

     92,019        —         92,019  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     511,108        (41,037      470,071  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 2,626,269        (160,680      2,465,589  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Gross and carrying amounts of accounts receivable – other as of December 31, 2022 include W332,669 million of financial instruments classified as fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”).

 

38


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

5.

Trade and Other Receivables, Continued

 

  (2)

Changes in the loss allowance on accounts receivable – trade measured at amortized cost for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     Beginning balance      Impairment      Write-offs(*)     Collection of
receivables
previously
written-off
     Ending
balance
 

2023

   W 86,231        28,765        (28,442     7,691        94,245  

2022

   W 92,762        16,053        (31,500     8,916        86,231  

 

(*)

The Company writes off the trade and other receivables that are determined to be uncollectable due to reasons such as termination of operations or bankruptcy.

 

  (3)

The Company applies the practical expedient that allows the Company to estimate the loss allowance for accounts receivable – trade at an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses. The expected credit losses include the forward-looking information. To make the assessment, the Company uses its historical credit loss experience over the past three years and classifies the accounts receivable – trade by their credit risk characteristics and days overdue. Details of loss allowance on accounts receivable – trade as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)                            
     Less than 6
months
     6 months ~
1 year
     1 ~ 3
years
     More than
3 years
 

Telecommunications service revenue

  

Expected credit loss rate

     0.46      48.91      73.36      99.98
  

Gross amount

   W 1,144,931        18,062        47,666        17,412  
  

Loss allowance

     5,288        8,835        34,970        17,409  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other revenue

  

Expected credit loss rate

     2.20%        50.30%        56.58%        97.32%  
  

Gross amount

   W 336,220        2,199        8,583        14,789  
  

Loss allowance

     7,389        1,106        4,856        14,392  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As the Company is a wireless telecommunications service provider, the Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost primarily consist of receivables from numerous individual customers, and, therefore, no significant credit concentration risk arises.

Receivables related to other revenue mainly consist of receivables from corporate customers. The Company transacts only with corporate customers with credit ratings that are considered to be low at credit risk. In addition, the Company is not exposed to significant credit concentration risk as the Company regularly assesses their credit risk by monitoring their credit rating. While the contract assets are under the impairment requirements, no significant credit risk has been identified.

 

39


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

6.

Prepaid Expenses

The Company pays commissions to its retail stores and authorized dealers for wireless telecommunications services based on their performance of attracting new customers and renewing contracts with existing customers, and recognizes costs that would not occur in case of not signing contracts with new and existing customers as prepaid expenses among the commissions. These prepaid expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods that the Company expects to maintain its customers.

 

  (1)

Details of prepaid expenses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Current assets:

     

Incremental costs of obtaining contracts

   W 1,795,410        1,877,900  

Others

     33,236        31,087  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 1,828,646        1,908,987  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

     

Incremental costs of obtaining contracts

   W 863,650        904,746  

Others

     35,104        30,964  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 898,754        935,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

Incremental costs of obtaining contracts

The amortization in connection with incremental costs of obtaining contracts recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    2023      2022  

Amortization recognized

   W 2,390,984        2,407,314  

 

40


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

7.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

In case of providing both wireless telecommunication services and sales of handsets, the Company allocated the consideration based on relative stand-alone selling prices and recognized unbilled receivables from handset sales as contract assets. The Company recognized receipts in advance for prepaid telecommunications services and unearned revenue for customer loyalty programs as contract liabilities.

 

  (1)

Details of contract assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Contract assets:

     

Allocation of consideration between performance obligations

   W 21,613        33,098  

Contract liabilities:

     

Wireless service contracts

     19,149        18,544  

Customer loyalty programs

     7,164        7,706  

Others

     37,899        67,149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 64,212        93,399  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

The amount of revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 related to the contract liabilities carried forward from the prior periods are W75,521 million and W54,981million, respectively. Details of revenue expected to be recognized from contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)                            
     Less than 1 year      1 ~ 2 years      More than
2 years
     Total  

Wireless service contracts

   W 19,149        —         —         19,149  

Customer loyalty programs

     5,716        970        478        7,164  

Others

     34,949        2,950        —         37,899  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 59,814        3,920        478        64,212  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

41


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

8.

Long-term Investment Securities

Details of long-term investment securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
    

Category

   December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Equity instruments

   FVOCI(*)    W 1,207,605        1,066,785  

Debt instruments

   FVTPL      218,685        88,403  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      W 1,426,290        1,155,188  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

The Company designated investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading as financial assets at FVOCI, and the amounts of those equity instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are W1,207,605 million and W1,066,785 million, respectively.

 

42


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

9.

Investments in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures

 

  (1)

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Investments in subsidiaries

   W 3,259,021        3,200,863  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

     1,411,547        1,420,944  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 4,670,568        4,621,807  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Details of investments in subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for share data)       
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
     Number of
shares
     Ownership
(%)
     Carrying
amount
     Carrying
amount
 

SK Telink Co., Ltd.(*1)

     1,432,627        100.0      W 244,015        243,988  

SK Broadband Co., Ltd.(*1)

     299,052,435        74.4        2,216,865        2,215,427  

SK Communications Co., Ltd.

     43,427,530        100.0        24,927        24,927  

PS&Marketing Corporation(*1)

     66,000,000        100.0        313,989        313,934  

SERVICE ACE Co., Ltd. (*1)

     4,385,400        100.0        21,946        21,927  

SK Telecom China Holdings Co., Ltd.

     —         100.0        48,096        48,096  

SK Telecom Americas, Inc. (*2)

     122        100.0        70,269        31,203  

Atlas Investment(*3)

     —         100.0        193,661        159,631  

SK stoa Co., Ltd. (*1)

     3,631,355        100.0        40,057        40,029  

Quantum Innovation Fund I(*4,5)

     —         59.9        1,297        11,626  

SAPEON Inc.

     400,000        62.5        48,456        48,456  

SK O&S Co., Ltd. and others(*1,6)

     —         —         35,443        41,619  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
         W 3,259,021        3,200,863  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

43


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

9.

Investments in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures, Continued

 

  (2)

Details of investments in subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(*1)

The Company granted Performance Share Units (“PSU”) stock options to executives of its subsidiaries, resulting in a cumulative total contribution of W1,614 million. There is no change in the ownership interest. (See note 23)

(*2)

The Company additionally contributed W39,066 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2023, but there is no change in the ownership interest.

(*3)

The Company additionally contributed W34,030 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2023, but there is no change in the ownership interest.

(*4)

The Company additionally contributed W240 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2023, but there is no change in the ownership interest.

(*5)

The Company disposed of a portion of shares in Quantum Innovation Fund I at W16,974 million from which it recognized W6,405 million of gain relating to investments in subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2023, but there is no change in the ownership interest.

(*6)

The Company disposed of a portion of shares in SK telecom Japan Inc., which was a subsidiary of the Company, to SK hynix Inc. and SK Square Co., Ltd., from which it recognized W1,654 million of loss relating to investments in subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the remaining ownership interest is reclassified as investments in associates as of December 31, 2023.

 

44


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

9.

Investments in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures, Continued

 

  (3)

Details of investments in associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for share data)  
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
     Number of
shares
     Ownership
(%)
     Carrying
amount
     Carrying
amount
 

Investments in associates:

           

SK China Company Ltd.

     10,928,921        27.3      W 601,192        601,192  

Korea IT Fund(*1)

     190        63.3        220,957        220,957  

SK Technology Innovation Company

     14,700        49.0        45,864        45,864  

SM Culture & Contents Co., Ltd.(*2)

     22,033,898        22.8        41,578        65,341  

SK South East Asia Investment Pte. Ltd.

     300,000,000        20.0        344,240        344,240  

Citadel Pacific Telecom Holdings, LLC (*3)

     1,734,109        15.0        36,487        36,487  

Invites Genomics Co., Ltd.(*4) (Formerly, Invites Healthcare Co., Ltd.)

     489,999        31.1        —         —   

CMES Inc.(*3)

     42,520        7.7        900        900  

Konan Technology Inc.

     2,359,160        20.7        22,413        22,413  

12CM JAPAN and others(*3,5,6,7)

     —         —         87,916        77,550  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
           1,401,547        1,414,944  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in joint ventures:

           

UTC Kakao-SK Telecom ESG Fund(*8)

     —         48.2        10,000        6,000  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
         W 1,411,547        1,420,944  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Investments in Korea IT Fund was classified as investment in associates as the Company does not have control over the investee under the contractual agreement with other shareholders.

(*2)

The Company recognized an impairment loss of W23,763 million as the recoverable amount was assessed to be less than the carrying amount for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(*3)

These investments were classified as investments in associates as the Company can exercise significant influence through its right to appoint the members of the Board of Directors even though the Company has less than 20% of equity interests.

(*4)

The Company recognized the carrying amount of investments in Invites Genomics Co., Ltd. (Formerly, Invites Healthcare Co., Ltd.) in entirety as an impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.

(*5)

The Company disposed of a portion of shares in SK telecom Japan Inc., which was a subsidiary of the Company, resulting in the reclassification of the remaining shares as an investment in associates for the year ended December 2023.

 

45


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

9.

Investments in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures, Continued

 

  (3)

Details of investments in associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(*6)

The Company additionally contributed W6,000 million of investment in KB ESG Fund of the three telecommunications companies, W28 million in F&U Credit information Co., Ltd. and W215 million of investment in KDX Korea Data Exchange for the year ended December 31, 2023. Also, the Company obtained significant influence by contributing W6,500 million to Telecom Daean Evaluation Jun B Corporation Co., Ltd., and W520 million to Covet Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(*7)

The Company disposed of a portion of shares in Start-up Win-Win Fund for W550 million and a portion of SK-KNET Youth Startup Investment Cooperative for W4,400 million in cash for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(*8)

The Company additionally contributed W4,000 million in cash to the investee for the year ended December 31, 2023, but there is no change in the ownership interest. The Company has joint control over the investee pursuant to the agreement with the other shareholders, thus the investment in the investee was classified as investments in joint ventures.

 

  (4)

The market value of investments in listed associates as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for share data)

 

     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
   Market price
per share

(in won)
     Number of
shares
     Market
value
     Market price
per share
(in won)
     Number of
shares
     Market
value
 

SM Culture & Contents Co., Ltd.

   W 1,887        22,033,898        41,578        2,960        22,033,898        65,220  

Konan Technology Inc.

     32,600        2,359,160        76,909        28,250        1,179,580        33,323  

 

46


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

10.

Property and Equipment

 

  (1)

Property and equipment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)                            
     December 31, 2023  
     Acquisition cost      Accumulated
depreciation
     Accumulated
Impairment
loss
     Carrying
amount
 

Land

   W 723,069        —         —         723,069  

Buildings

     1,313,507        (744,787      (450      568,270  

Structures

     939,983        (704,932      (1,601      233,450  

Machinery

     27,625,424        (22,394,558      —         5,230,866  

Right-of-use assets

     1,983,163        (756,288      —         1,226,875  

Other

     1,493,783        (1,056,929      —         436,854  

Construction in progress

     657,075        —         —         657,075  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 34,736,004        (25,657,494      (2,051      9,076,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)                            
     December 31, 2022  
     Acquisition cost      Accumulated
depreciation
     Accumulated
Impairment
loss
     Carrying
amount
 

Land

   W 646,286        —         —         646,286  

Buildings

     1,264,103        (700,677      (450      562,976  

Structures

     933,702        (667,774      (1,601      264,327  

Machinery

     27,420,063        (22,145,451      —         5,274,612  

Right-of-use assets

     2,033,034        (660,568      —         1,372,466  

Other

     1,505,800        (1,061,476      —         444,324  

Construction in progress

     954,672        —         —         954,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 34,757,660        (25,235,946      (2,051      9,519,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

47


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

10.

Property and Equipment, Continued

 

(2) Changes in property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     2023  
     Beginning
balance
     Acquisition      Disposal     Transfer     Depreciation     Ending
balance
 

Land

   W 646,286        8        (388     77,163       —        723,069  

Buildings

     562,976        372        (152     47,161       (42,087     568,270  

Structures

     264,327        1,279        (200     6,477       (38,433     233,450  

Machinery

     5,274,612        98,114        (493     1,470,364       (1,611,731     5,230,866  

Right-of-use assets

     1,372,466        253,838        (36,160     (4,768     (358,501     1,226,875  

Other

     444,324        536,726        (874     (476,653     (66,669     436,854  

Construction in progress

     954,672        1,026,496        (26     (1,324,067     —        657,075  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 9,519,663        1,916,833        (38,293     (204,323     (2,117,421     9,076,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)  
     2022  
     Beginning
balance
     Acquisition      Disposal     Transfer     Depreciation     Ending
balance
 

Land

   W 621,614        —         (89     24,761       —        646,286  

Buildings

     564,976        353        (182     39,082       (41,253     562,976  

Structures

     290,813        1,293        (32     10,428       (38,175     264,327  

Machinery

     5,331,485        108,792        (43,577     1,464,892       (1,586,980     5,274,612  

Right-of-use assets

     1,370,897        410,640        (37,386     (18,651     (353,034     1,372,466  

Other

     439,982        759,010        (728     (671,632     (82,308     444,324  

Construction in progress

     698,641        1,211,667        (1,709     (953,927     —        954,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 9,318,408        2,491,755        (83,703     (105,047     (2,101,750     9,519,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

48


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

11.

Investment Property

 

  (1)

Investment property as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)                      
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
     Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
    Carrying
amount
     Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
    Carrying
amount
 

Land

   W 16,288        —        16,288        16,485        —        16,485  

Buildings

     55,629        (37,345     18,284        58,248        (39,182     19,066  

Right-of-use assets

     21,313        (9,805     11,508        23,505        (7,033     16,472  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 93,230        (47,150     46,080        98,238        (46,215     52,023  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Changes in investment property for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     2023  
     Beginning
balance
     Transfer      Depreciation      Ending
balance
 

Land

   W 16,485        (197      —         16,288  

Buildings

     19,066        1,059        (1,841      18,284  

Right-of-use assets

     16,472        5,402        (10,366      11,508  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 52,023        6,264        (12,207      46,080  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)  
     2022  
     Beginning
balance
     Transfer      Depreciation      Ending
balance
 

Land

   W 17,084        (599      —         16,485  

Buildings

     21,768        (743      (1,959      19,066  

Right-of-use assets

     6,248        18,015        (7,791      16,472  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 45,100        16,673        (9,750      52,023  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (3)

The Company recognized lease income of W22,773 million and W22,745 million from investment property for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

  (4)

The fair value of investment property is W157,071 million and W182,142 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

49


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

12.

Leases

 

  (1)

Company as a lessee

 

  1)

Details of the right-of-use assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Right-of-use assets:

     

Land, buildings and structures

   W 971,929        1,113,958  

Others

     254,946        258,508  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 1,226,875        1,372,466  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  2)

Details of amounts recognized in the separate statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as a lessee are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Depreciation of right-of-use assets:

     

Land, buildings and structures

   W 281,187        278,406  

Others(*)

     77,314        74,628  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 358,501        353,034  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense on lease liabilities

   W 31,824        25,377  

 

(*)

Others include the amount reclassified as research and development expenses related to the lease contract for research and development facilities.

Expenses related to short-term leases and leases of low-value assets that the Company recognized are immaterial.

 

  3)

The total cash outflows due to lease payments for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to W386,268 million and W369,746 million, respectively.

 

50


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

12.

Lease, Continued

 

  (2)

Company as a lessor

 

  1)

Finance lease

The Company recognized interest income of W146 million and W227 million for lease receivables for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The following table sets out a maturity analysis of lease receivables, presenting the undiscounted lease payments to be received subsequent to December 31, 2023.

 

(In millions of won)       
     Amount  

Less than 1 year

   W 8,349  

1 ~ 2 years

     2,478  
  

 

 

 

Undiscounted lease payments

   W 10,827  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized finance income

     64  

Net investment in the lease

     10,763  

 

  2)

Operating lease

The Company recognized lease income of W112,162 million and W113,468 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, of which variable lease payments received are W6,389 million and W8,622 million, respectively.

The following table sets out a maturity analysis of lease payments, presenting the undiscounted fixed payments to be received subsequent to December 31, 2023.

 

(In millions of won)       
     Amount  

Less than 1 year

   W 58,283  

1 ~ 2 years

     10,439  

2 ~ 3 years

     1,727  

3 ~ 4 years

     105  

4 ~ 5 years

     98  

More than 5 years

     434  
  

 

 

 
   W 71,086  
  

 

 

 

 

51


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

13.

Goodwill

Goodwill as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Goodwill related to merger of Shinsegi Telecom, Inc.

   W 1,306,236        1,306,236  

The recoverable amount of the CGU is based on its value in use calculated by applying the post-tax annual discount rate of 5.4% (2022: 6.7%) (pre-tax annual discount rate for 2023 and 2022 are 8.4% and 9.0%, respectively) to the estimated future post-tax cash flows based on financial budgets for the next five years. An annual growth rate of 0.0% (2022: 0.0%) was applied for the cash flows expected to be incurred after five years and is not expected to exceed the Company’s long-term wireless telecommunication industry growth rate.

 

14.

Intangible Assets

 

  (1)

Intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2023  
     Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
amortization
    Accumulated
impairment loss
    Carrying
amount
 

Frequency usage rights(*1)

   W 3,564,907        (1,958,301     —        1,606,606  

Land usage rights

     35,144        (34,602     —        542  

Industrial rights

     51,959        (33,169     —        18,790  

Facility usage rights

     61,553        (48,118     —        13,435  

Club memberships(*2)

     80,963        —        (21,962     59,001  

Other(*3)

     3,792,089        (3,239,634     —        552,455  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 7,586,615        (5,313,824     (21,962     2,250,829  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2022  
     Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
amortization
    Accumulated
impairment loss
    Carrying
amount
 

Frequency usage rights(*1)

   W 3,767,590        (1,499,158     (186,000     2,082,432  

Land usage rights

     36,819        (35,692     —        1,127  

Industrial rights

     48,216        (29,104     —        19,112  

Facility usage rights

     59,222        (45,977     —        13,245  

Club memberships(*2)

     78,859        —        (21,962     56,897  

Other(*3)

     3,671,908        (3,151,321     —        520,587  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 7,662,614        (4,761,252     (207,962     2,693,400  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

52


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

14.

Intangible Assets, Continued

 

  (1)

Intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(*1)

The Company was reassigned 800 MHz, 1.8 GHz and 2.1 GHz band of frequency licenses from the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (“ICT”) in exchange for W227,200 million, W547,800 million and W411,700 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The band of frequency was assigned to the Company at the date of initial lump sum payment for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the annual payments in installment for the remaining balances are made in the next five years starting from the date of initial lump sum payment.

(*2)

Club memberships are classified as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and are not amortized.

(*3)

Other intangible assets primarily consist of computer software and others.

(2)

Changes in intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     2023  
     Beginning
balance
     Acquisition      Disposal     Transfer      Amortization     Ending
balance
 

Frequency usage rights

   W 2,082,432        —         —        —         (475,826     1,606,606  

Land usage rights

     1,127        125        (15     40        (735     542  

Industrial rights

     19,112        4,549        (350     —         (4,521     18,790  

Facility usage rights

     13,245        1,884        (16     1,072        (2,750     13,435  

Club memberships

     56,897        3,595        (1,491     —         —        59,001  

Other

     520,587        57,306        (1,501     195,930        (219,867     552,455  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 2,693,400        67,459        (3,373     197,042        (703,699     2,250,829  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)  
     2022  
     Beginning
balance
     Acquisition      Disposal     Transfer     Amortization     Ending
balance
 

Frequency usage rights

   W 2,559,689        —         —        —        (477,257     2,082,432  

Land usage rights

     2,449        —         —        —        (1,322     1,127  

Industrial rights

     10,934        13,428        (824     (111     (4,315     19,112  

Facility usage rights

     14,355        1,396        (2     260       (2,764     13,245  

Club memberships

     51,356        6,113        (572     —        —        56,897  

Other

     564,547        70,977        (382     115,904       (230,459     520,587  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 3,203,330        91,914        (1,780     116,053       (716,117     2,693,400  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

53


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

14.

Intangible Assets, Continued

 

  (3)

Research and development expenditures recognized as expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Research and development costs expensed as incurred

   W 336,377        338,389  

 

  (4)

Details of frequency usage rights as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     Amount     

Description

   Commencement
of amortization
   Completion of
amortization
 

800 MHz license

   W 109,789      LTE service    Jul. 2021      Jun. 2026  

1.8 GHz license

     308,534      LTE service    Dec. 2021      Dec. 2026  

2.6 GHz license

     364,250      LTE service    Sept. 2016      Dec. 2026  

2.1 GHz license

     231,879      W-CDMA and LTE service    Dec. 2021      Dec. 2026  

3.5 GHz license

     592,154      5G service    Apr. 2019      Nov. 2028  
           
     W1,606,606                   
           

 

54


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

15.

Borrowings and Debentures

 

  (1)

Short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  

Lender

   Annual interest
rate (%)
     Maturity      December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

BNK Securities. Co., Ltd.

     —         —       W —         100,000  

 

  (2)

Long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  

Lender

   Annual interest
rate (%)
     Maturity      December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

     1.35        May. 20, 2024      W 100,000        100,000  

DBS Bank Ltd.

     1.30        May. 28, 2024        200,000        200,000  

DBS Bank Ltd.

     2.65        Mar. 10, 2025        200,000        200,000  

Credit Agricole CIB

     3.30        Apr. 29, 2024        50,000        50,000  

Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

     3.29        Nov. 27, 2023        —         100,000  

Nonghyup Bank(*)

     MOR + 1.36        Nov. 17, 2024        40,000        40,000  

Credit Agricole CIB

     4.89        Nov. 28, 2025        50,000        50,000  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
     640,000        740,000  

Less current portions

 

     (390,000      (100,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 250,000        640,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

6M MOR rates are 3.85% and 4.35% as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

55


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

15.

Borrowings and Debentures, Continued

 

  (3)

Debentures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

(In millions of won and thousands of U.S. dollars)

    

Purpose

   Maturity      Annual
interest rate
(%)
     December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2032        3.45      W 90,000        90,000  
   Refinancing fund            

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating fund      2023        3.03        —         230,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2033        3.22        130,000        130,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2024        3.64        150,000        150,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2024        2.82        190,000        190,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2025        2.49        150,000        150,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2030        2.61        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating fund      2025        2.66        70,000        70,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2030        2.82        90,000        90,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2025        2.55        100,000        100,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2035        2.75        70,000        70,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating fund      2026        2.08        90,000        90,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2036        2.24        80,000        80,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2026        1.97        120,000        120,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2031        2.17        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2027        2.55        100,000        100,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2032        2.65        90,000        90,000  
   Refinancing fund            

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2027        2.84        100,000        100,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2023        2.81        —         100,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2028        3.00        200,000        200,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2038        3.02        90,000        90,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2023        2.33        —         150,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2038        2.44        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating fund      2024        2.09        120,000        120,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2029        2.19        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2039        2.23        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2024        1.49        60,000        60,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2029        1.50        120,000        120,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2039        1.52        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2049        1.56        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating fund      2024        1.76        70,000        70,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2029        1.79        40,000        40,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2039        1.81        60,000        60,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating and      2023        1.64               170,000  
   Refinancing fund            

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Operating fund      2025        1.75        130,000        130,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2030        1.83        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2040        1.87        70,000        70,000  

 

56


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

15.

Borrowings and Debentures, Continued

 

  (3)

Debentures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(In millions of won and thousands of U.S. dollars)

    

Purpose

   Maturity      Annual interest rate
(%)
     December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Unsecured corporate bonds

   Refinancing fund      2025        1.40        140,000        140,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2030        1.59        40,000        40,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2040        1.76        110,000        110,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2024        1.17        80,000        80,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2026        1.39        80,000        80,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2031        1.80        50,000        50,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2041        1.89        100,000        100,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2024        2.47        90,000        90,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2026        2.69        70,000        70,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2041        2.68        40,000        40,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2025        3.80        240,000        240,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2027        3.84        70,000        70,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2042        3.78        40,000        40,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2025        4.00        300,000        300,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2027        4.00        95,000        95,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2024        4.79        100,000        100,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2025        4.73        110,000        110,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2027        4.74        60,000        60,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2032        4.69        40,000        40,000  

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2026        3.65        110,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2028        3.83        190,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2026        3.72        80,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2028        3.80        200,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2030        3.96        70,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2026        4.54        115,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2028        4.68        100,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2030        4.72        50,000        —   

Unsecured corporate bonds

        2033        4.72        30,000        —   

Unsecured global bonds

   Operating fund      2027        6.63       
515,760
(USD 400,000)
 
 
    
506,920
(USD 400,000)
 
 
        2023        3.75        —        

633,650

(USD 500,000)

 

 

Floating rate notes(*)

   Operating fund      2025        SOFR rate +1.17       

386,820

(USD 300,000

 

    

380,190

(USD 300,000

 

           

 

 

    

 

 

 
              6,682,580      7,005,760  

Less discounts on bonds

              (15,641)        (16,790)  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
                        6,666,939      6,988,970  

Less current portions of bonds

              (859,516)        (1,283,097)  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
                        W 5,807,423      5,705,873  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Interest rates applied are SOFR rate 5.38% as of December 31, 2023 and LIBOR rate (3 month) 4.75% + 0.91% as of December 31, 2022.

 

57


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

16.

Long-Term Payables – Other

 

  (1)

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, details of long-term payables – other related to the acquisition of frequency usage rights are as follows (See note 14):

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2022
 

Long-term payables – other

   W 1,290,225        1,690,470  

Present value discount on long-term payables – other

     (29,772      (52,129

Current portion of long-term payables – other

     (367,770      (398,874
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying amount at year end

   W 892,683        1,239,467  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

The sum of portions repaid among the principal of long-term payables – other for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 amounts to W400,245 million and W400,245 million, respectively. The repayment schedule of the principal amount of long-term payables – other as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     Amount  

Less than 1 year

   W 369,150  

1 ~ 3 years

     738,300  

3 ~ 5 years

     182,775  
  

 

 

 
   W 1,290,225  
  

 

 

 

 

17.

Provisions

Changes in provisions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      As of December 31,
2023
 
     Beginning
balance
     Increase      Utilization     Reversal     Ending
balance
     Current      Non-current  

Provision for restoration

   W 95,569        6,500        (1,787     —        100,282        30,491        69,791  

Emission allowance

     1,836        2,279        (520     (2,773     822        822        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 97,405        8,779        (2,307     (2,773     101,104        31,313        69,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)              
     2022      As of December 31,
2022
 
     Beginning
balance
     Increase      Utilization     Reversal     Ending
balance
     Current      Non-current  

Provision for restoration

   W 94,684        5,595        (4,046     (664     95,569        29,815        65,754  

Emission allowance

     1,885        2,369        —        (2,418     1,836        1,836        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 96,569        7,964        (4,046     (3,082     97,405        31,651        65,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

58


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

18.

Defined Benefit Assets

 

  (1)

Details of defined benefit assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Present value of defined benefit obligations

   W 493,541        508,622  

Fair value of plan assets

     (578,685      (539,847
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W (85,144      (31,225
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Principal actuarial assumptions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

     December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022

Discount rate for defined benefit obligations

   4.36%   5.31%

Expected rate of salary increase

   5.21%   8.37%

Discount rate for defined benefit obligation is determined based on market yields of high-quality corporate bonds with similar maturities for estimated payment term of defined benefit obligation. Expected rate of salary increase is determined based on the Company’s historical promotion index, inflation rate and salary increase ratio.

 

  (3)

Changes in present value of defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     2023      2022  

Binning balance

   W 508,622        483,001  

Current service cost

     56,564        50,997  

Interest cost

     26,487        15,094  

Remeasurement

     

- Demographic assumption

     (740      (26,132

- Financial assumption

     (70,134      25,392  

- Adjustment based on experience

     12,836        (6,059

Benefit paid

     (38,347      (28,932

Others(*)

     (1,747      (4,739
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 493,541        508,622  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Others include changes in liabilities due to employee’s transfers among affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

18.

Defined Benefit Assets, Continued

 

  (4)

Changes in fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     2023      2022  

Beginning balance

   W 539,847        476,099  

Interest income

     27,753        15,296  

Remeasurement

     94        (10,898

Contribution

     50,000        92,000  

Benefit paid

     (36,124      (32,335

Others(*)

     (2,885      (315
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 578,685        539,847  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Others include changes in assets due to the employee’s transfers among affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

The Company’s expected contributions to the defined benefit plan for the year ended December 31, 2024, amounts to W83,836 million.

 

  (5)

Total cost of defined benefit plan, which is recognized in profit or loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     2023      2022  

Current service cost

   W 56,564        50,997  

Net interest income

     (1,266      (202
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 55,298        50,795  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs related to the defined benefit plan except for the amounts transferred to construction in progress are included in labor expenses and research and development expenses.

 

  (6)

Details of plan assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Equity instruments

   W 65        7,504  

Debt instruments

     101,638        96,134  

Short-term financial instruments, etc.

     476,982        436,209  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 578,685        539,847  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

18.

Defined Benefit Assets, Continued

 

  (7)

Sensitivity analysis

As of December 31, 2023, effects on defined benefit obligations if each of significant actuarial assumptions changes within expectable and reasonable range are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     0.5% Increase      0.5% Decrease  

Discount rate

   W (13,387)        14,131  

Expected salary increase rate

     14,277        (13,645)  

The sensitivity analysis does not consider dispersion of all cash flows that are expected from the plan but provides approximate values of sensitivity for the assumptions used.

A weighted average duration of defined benefit obligations as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are 6.20 years and 7.07 years, respectively.

 

  (8)

Defined contribution plan

The amount recognized as an expense for defined contribution plans are W8,698 million and W7,107 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

19.

Derivative Instruments

 

  (1)

Currency and interest rate swap contracts under cash flow hedge accounting as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In thousands of foreign currencies)

Borrowing
date

  

Hedging Instrument (Hedged item)

  

Hedged risk

  

Financial
institution

  

Duration of
contract

Jul. 20, 2007   

Fixed-to-fixed cross currency swap (U.S. dollar denominated bonds face value of USD 400,000)

   Foreign currency risk    Morgan Stanley and four other banks    Jul. 20, 2007 ~
Jul. 20, 2027
Mar. 4, 2020   

Floating-to-fixed cross currency interest rate swap (U.S. dollar denominated bonds face value of USD 300,000)

   Foreign currency risk and interest rate risk    Citibank    Mar. 4, 2020 ~
Jun. 4, 2025

 

  (2)

In relation to the merger of SK Broadband Co., Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with the shareholders of the acquirees. Pursuant to the agreement, when certain conditions are met within a period of time subsequent to the merger, the shareholders of the acquirees can exercise their drag-along rights and require the Company to sell its shares in SK Broadband Co., Ltd. should the shareholders exercise their drag-along rights, the Company also can exercise its call options over the shares held by those shareholders. The Company recognized a long-term derivative financial liability of W295,876 million and W302,593 million for the rights prescribed in the shareholders’ agreement as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The fair value of SK Broadband Co., Ltd.’s common stock was estimated using 5-year projected cash flows discounted at 6.2% per annum. The fair value of the derivative financial liability was determined by using the Binomial Model based on various assumptions including the price of common stock and its price fluctuations. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement and inter-relationship between significant unobservable inputs and fair value measurement are as follows:

 

Significant unobservable inputs

  

Correlations between inputs

and fair value measurements

Fair value of SK Broadband Co., Ltd.’s common stock    The estimated fair value of derivative liabilities would decrease (increase) if the fair value of common stock would increase (decrease)
Volatility of stock price    The estimated fair value of derivative liabilities would decrease (increase) if the volatility of stock price increase (decrease)

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

19.

Derivative Instruments, Continued

 

  (3)

The Company has entered into the agreement with Newberry Global Limited, whereby the Company has been granted subscription right and contingent subscription right to acquire Newberry series-C redeemable convertible preferred stock for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company recognized derivative financial assets of W13,136 million and W8,083 million as of December 31, 2022 for subscription right and contingent subscription right, respectively. There is no balance for derivative financial assets as of December 31, 2023, as the exercise period expired without the exercise of subscription rights and contingent subscription rights for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

  (4)

The Company has entered into the agreement with HAEGIN Co., Ltd., whereby the Company has been granted contingent subscription right to acquire HAEGIN Co., Ltd.’s common stock for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company is able to exercise the right in accordance with the agreement when certain conditions are met and recognized long-term derivative financial assets of W2,323 million for the contingent subscription right as of December 31, 2023. The fair value of HAEGIN Co., Ltd.’s common stock was estimated using 5-year projected cash flows discounted at 13.0% per annum. Meanwhile, if the fair value of HAEGIN Co., Ltd.’s common stock, significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement, increases (decreases), the estimated fair value of derivative asset would increase (decrease). If the volatility of stock price, significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement, increases (decreases), the estimated fair value of derivative asset would increase (decrease).

 

  (5)

The fair value of derivative financial instruments to which the Company applies cash flow hedging is recorded in the separate financial statements as long-term derivative financial assets. As of December 31, 2023, details of fair values of the derivatives assets are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, thousands of foreign currencies)              

Hedging instrument (Hedged item)

   Cash flow hedge      Fair value  

Non-current assets:

     

Fixed-to-fixed cross currency swap
(U.S. dollar denominated bonds face value of USD 400,000)

   W 80,426        80,426  

Floating-to-fixed cross currency interest rate swap
(U.S. dollar denominated bonds face value of USD 300,000)

     35,784        35,784  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 116,210        116,210  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023, the changes in fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instrument, which are all effective in hedging, were recognized in full in other comprehensive income.

 

  (6)

The fair value of derivatives held for trading is recorded in the financial statements as long-term derivative financial assets and long-term derivative financial liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, details of fair values of the derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     Held for trading      Fair value  

Non-current assets:

     

Contingent subscription right

   W 2,323        2,323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 2,323        2,323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

     

Drag-along and call option rights

   W (295,876      (295,876
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W (295,876      (295,876
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

20.

Share Capital and Capital Surplus and Others

 

  (1)

Details of share capital as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for share data)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Number of authorized shares

     670,000,000        670,000,000  

Par value (in won)

   W 100        100  

Number of issued shares

     218,833,144        218,833,144  

Share capital:

     

Common share(*)

   W 30,493        30,493  

 

(*)

In 2002 and 2003, the Company retired treasury shares with reduction of its retained earnings before appropriation. As a result, the Company’s issued shares have decreased without change in share capital.

 

  (2)

There were no changes in share capital for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

  (3)

Details of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In shares)       
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  
     Issued
shares
     Treasury
shares
     Outstanding
shares
     Issued
shares
     Treasury
shares
     Outstanding
shares
 

Shares outstanding

     218,833,144        6,133,414        212,699,730        218,833,144        801,091        218,032,053  

 

  (4)

Details of capital surplus and others as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Paid-in surplus

   W 1,771,000        1,771,000  

Treasury shares(Note 21)

     (301,981      (36,702

Hybrid bonds(Note 22)

     398,509        398,759  

Share option(Note 23)

     9,818        2,061  

Others(*)

     (6,643,493      (6,641,811
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W (4,766,147      (4,506,693
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

The amount includes a change in equity amounting to W5,767,210 million due to the spin-off that was accounted for as a transaction under common control.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

21.

Treasury Shares

 

  (1)

Treasury shares as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for the number of shares)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Number of shares

     6,133,414        801,091  

Acquisition cost

   W 301,981        36,702  

 

  (2)

Changes in treasury shares for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In shares)              
     2023      2022  

Treasury shares as of January 1

     801,091        1,250,992  

Acquisition(*1)

     5,773,410        —   

Disposal(*2)

     (441,087      (449,901
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Treasury shares as of December 31

     6,133,414        801,091  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The Company acquired 5,773,410 of its treasury shares for W285,487 million in an effort to increase shareholder value by stabilizing its stock price for the years ended December 31, 2023.

(*2)

The Company distributed 441,087 treasury shares (acquisition cost: W20,208 million) as bonus payment to the employees, resulting in gain on disposal of treasury shares of W212 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Also, the Company distributed 449,901 treasury shares (acquisition cost: W20,612 million) as bonus payment to the employees, resulting in gain on disposal of treasury shares of W4,813 million for the year ended December 31, 2022

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

22.

Hybrid Bonds

Hybrid bonds classified as equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
    

Type

   Issuance date      Maturity(*1)      Annual
interest
rate
(%)(*2)
     December 31,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 

Series 3 hybrid bonds

  

Unsecured subordinated

bearer bond

     June 5, 2023        June 5, 2083        4.95      W 400,000       —   

Series 2-1 hybrid bonds

  

Unsecured subordinated

bearer bond

     June 7, 2018        June 7, 2078        3.70        —        300,000  

Series 2-2 hybrid bonds

  

Unsecured subordinated

bearer bond

     June 7, 2018        June 7, 2078        3.65        —        100,000  

Issuance costs

                 (1,491     (1,241
              

 

 

   

 

 

 
               W 398,509       398,759  
              

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company redeemed previously issued hybrid bonds and issued new hybrids bonds for the year ended December 31, 2023. As there is no contractual obligation to deliver financial assets to the holders of hybrid bonds, the Company classified the hybrid bonds as equity.

These are subordinated bonds that rank before common shares in the event of a liquidation or reorganization of the Company.

 

(*1)

The Company has a right to extend the maturity without any notice or announcement.

(*2)

Annual interest rate is determined as yield rate of 5-year national bond plus premium. According to the step-up clause, additional premium of 0.25% and 0.75%, respectively, after 10 years and 25 years from the issuance date are applied.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

23.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement

 

  (1)

The terms and conditions related to the grants of the share-based payment arrangement are as follows:

 

  1)

Share-based payment arrangement with cash alternatives

 

     Series  
     1-3    3      4      5      6  
                                  

Grant date

   March 24, 2017      February 22, 2019        March 26, 2019        March 26, 2020        March 25, 2021  

Types of shares to be issued

   Registered common shares  

Grant method

   Reissue of treasury shares,

Cash settlement

 

 

Number of shares (in share)

   67,320      8,907        5,266        376,313        87,794  

Exercise price (in won)

   57,562      53,052        50,862        38,452        50,276  

Exercise period

   Mar. 25, 2021 ~
Mar. 24, 2024
    
Feb. 23, 2021 ~
Feb. 22, 2024
 
 
    
Mar. 27, 2021 ~
Mar. 26, 2024
 
 
    
Mar. 27, 2023 ~
Mar. 26, 2027
 
 
    
Mar. 26, 2023 ~
Mar. 25, 2026
 
 

Vesting

conditions

   4 years’

service from the
grant date

    


2 years’

service from the
grant date

 

 
 

    


2 years’

service from the
grant date

 

 
 

    

3 years’

service from

the grant date

 

 

 

    

2 years’

service from

the grant date

 

 

 

 

     Series
     7-1    7-2

Grant date

   March 25, 2022

Types of shares to be issued

   Registered common shares

Grant method

   Reissue of treasury shares,

Cash settlement

Number of shares (in share)

   295,275    109,704

Exercise price (in won)

   56,860    56,860

Exercise period

   Mar. 26, 2025 ~
Mar. 25, 2029
   Mar. 26, 2024 ~
Mar. 25, 2027

Vesting

conditions

   2 years’

service from

the grant date

   2 years’

service from

the grant date

 

(*)

The remaining parts of 1-2st and 2nd share options were fully forfeited, and the 8th share option was canceled for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

23.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Continued

 

  (1)

The terms and conditions related to the grants of the share-based payment arrangement are as follows, Continued:

 

  2)

Cash-settled share-based payment arrangement

 

     Granted in 2021    Granted in 2022
     Share appreciation rights of
SK Telecom Co., Ltd.(*)
   Share appreciation rights of
SK Square Co., Ltd.(*)
   Share appreciation rights of
SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

Grant date

   January 1, 2021    January 1, 2022

Grant method

   Cash settlement   

Number of shares
(in share)

   183,246    118,456    338,525

Exercise price
(in won)

   50,276    56,860

Exercise period

   Jan. 1, 2023 ~ Mar. 28, 2024    Jan. 1, 2024 ~ Mar. 25, 2025

Vesting conditions

   2 years’ service from the grant date    2 years’ service from the grant date

 

(*)

Parts of the grant that have not met the vesting conditions have been forfeited for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

  3)

Equity-settled share-based payment arrangement

The Company newly established Performance Share Units (“PSU”) for executives of the Company and major subsidiaries as part of the compensation based on the growth of corporate value for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the details are as follows:

 

    

PSU of SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

Grant date

   March 28, 2023

Types of shares to be issued

   Registered common shares

Grant method

   Reissue of treasury shares

Number of shares(*)

   Fluctuates according to the share price on the expiration date and the cumulative increase rate of KOSPI200

Reference share price (in won)

   47,280

Reference index (KOSPI200)

   315

Maturity (exercise date)

   The day in which the annual general meeting of shareholders is held after 3 years from the grant date

Vesting conditions

   Full service in the year in which the grant date is included

 

(*)

The initial grant amount is a total of W10,813 million, and the amount calculated according to the adjustment rate based on the share price on the expiration date and the cumulative increase rate of KOSPI200 will be paid in shares.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

23.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Continued

 

  (2)

Share compensation expense for share-based payment arrangements with cash alternatives recognized for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the remaining share compensation expense to be recognized in subsequent periods are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    Share
compensation expense
 

As of December 31, 2022

   W 155,579  

For the year ended December 31, 2023

     2,171  

In subsequent periods

     504  
  

 

 

 
   W 158,254  
  

 

 

 

The liabilities recognized by the Company in relation to the share-based payment arrangement with cash alternatives are W5,530 million and W4,221 million, respectively, which are included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount of liabilities recognized by the Company in relation to the cash-settled share-based payment arrangement are W1,133 million and W906 million, respectively.

Share compensation expenses recognized for equity-settled share-based payment arrangement are W4,653 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

69


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

23.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Continued

 

  (3)

The Company used binomial option-pricing model in the measurement of the fair value of share options at the remeasurement date and the inputs used in the model are as follows:

 

  1)

Share-based payment arrangement with cash alternatives

 

  (i)

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

(In won)    Series  
     1-3     3     4     5     6  

Risk-free interest rate

     3.52     3.49     3.52     3.14     3.18

Estimated option’s life

     7 years       5 years       5 years       7 years       5 years  

Share price on the remeasurement date

     50,100       50,100       50,100       50,100       50,100  

Expected volatility

     16.80     16.80     16.80     16.80     16.80

Expected dividends yield

     6.60     6.60     6.60     6.60     6.60

Exercise price

     57,562       53,052       50,862       38,452       50,276  

Per-share fair value of the option

     63       310       1,157       11,648       3,400  

 

(In won)    Series  
     7-1     7-2  

Risk-free interest rate

     3.15     3.14

Estimated option’s life

     7 years       5 years  

Share price on the remeasurement date

     50,100       50,100  

Expected volatility

     16.80     16.80

Expected dividends yield

     6.60     6.60

Exercise price

     56,860       56,860  

Per-share fair value of the option

     2,466       1,974  

 

  (ii)

SK Square Co., Ltd.

 

(In won)    Series  
     1-3     3     4     5     6  

Risk-free interest rate

     2.07     1.91     1.78     1.52     1.55

Estimated option’s life

     7 years       5 years       5 years       7 years       5 years  

Share price (Closing price on the preceding day)

     52,500       51,800       50,600       34,900       49,800  

Expected volatility

     13.38     8.30     7.70     8.10     25.70

Expected dividends yield

     3.80     3.80     3.90     5.70     4.00

Exercise price

     57,562       53,052       50,862       38,452       50,276  

Per-share fair value of the option

     3,096       1,720       1,622       192       8,142  

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

23.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Continued

 

  (3)

The Company used binomial option-pricing model in the measurement of the fair value of share options at the remeasurement date and the inputs used in the model are as follows, Continued:

 

  2)

Cash-settled share-based payment arrangement

 

(In won)    Granted in 2021     Granted in 2022  
     Share appreciation rights of
SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Share appreciation rights of
SK Square Co., Ltd.
    Share appreciation rights of
SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
 

Risk-free interest rate

     3.52     3.52     3.37

Estimated option’s life

     3.25 years       3.25 years       3.25 years  

Share price on the remeasurement date

     50,100       52,600       50,100  

Expected volatility

     16.80     30.90     16.80

Expected dividends yield

     6.60     0.00     6.60

Exercise price

     50,276       50,276       56,860  

Per-share fair value of the option

     1,387       4,706       949  

 

  3)

Equity-settled share-based payment arrangement

 

(In won)       
     PSU of SK Telecom Co., Ltd.  

Risk-free interest rate

     3.26

Estimated option’s life

     3 years  

Share price on the expected grant date

     48,500  

Expected volatility

     18.67

Expected dividends yield

     4.90

Per-share fair value of the option

     27,525  

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

24.

Retained Earnings

 

  (1)

Retained earnings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Appropriated:

     

Legal reserve

   W 22,320        22,320  

Reserve for business expansion

     9,831,138        9,631,138  

Reserve for technology development

     4,565,300        4,365,300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     14,396,438        13,996,438  

Unappropriated

     613,715        672,703  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 15,032,473        14,691,461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Legal reserve

The Korean Commercial Act requires the Company to appropriate as a legal reserve at least 10% of cash dividends paid for each accounting period until the reserve equals 50% of outstanding share capital. The legal reserve may not be utilized for cash dividends, but may only be used to offset a future deficit, if any, or may be transferred to share capital.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

25.

Statements of Appropriation of Retained Earnings

Details of statements of appropriation of retained earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

Date of appropriation for 2023: March 26, 2024

Date of appropriation for 2022: March 28, 2023

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Unappropriated retained earnings:

     

Unappropriated retained earnings

   W 91,736        390,674  

Remeasurement of defined benefit assets

     43,656        (4,899

Reclassification of valuation loss on FVOCI

     (21,862      (24,920

Interim dividends:

 2023: W2,490 per share,

     2,490% on par value

 2022: W2,490 per share,

     2,490% on par value

     (542,282      (542,876

Interest on hybrid bonds

     (17,283      (14,766

Profit for the year

     1,059,750        869,490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     613,715        672,703  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reversal of appropriation of retained earnings:

     

Reserve for business expansion

     (150,000      (200,000

Reserve for technology development

     (150,000      (200,000

Appropriation of retained earnings:

     

Cash dividends:

 2023: W 1,050 per share,

     1,050% on par value

 2022: W830 per share,

     830% on par value

     223,335        180,967  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (523,335      (580,967
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unappropriated retained earnings to be carried over to subsequent year

   W 90,380        91,736  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

26.

Reserves

 

  (1)

Details of reserves, net of taxes, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Valuation gain on FVOCI

   W 139,548        156,907  

Valuation gain (loss) on derivatives

     (274      11,214  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 139,274        168,121  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Changes in reserves for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     Valuation gain
on financial assets
at FVOCI
     Valuation gain
(loss) on derivatives
     Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2022

   W 613,010        25,006        638,016  

Changes, net of taxes

     (456,103      (13,792      (469,895
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

     156,907        11,214        168,121  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2023

     156,907        11,214        168,121  

Changes, net of taxes

     (17,359      (11,488      (28,847
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   W 139,548        (274      139,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (3)

Changes in valuation gain on financial assets at FVOCI for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     2023      2022  

Balance as of January 1

   W 156,907        613,010  

Amount recognized as other comprehensive loss for the year, net of taxes

     (39,221      (481,023

Amount reclassified to retained earnings, net of taxes

     21,862        24,920  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31

   W 139,548        156,907  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (4)

Changes in valuation gain (loss) on derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Balance as of January 1

   W 11,214        25,006  

Amount recognized as other comprehensive loss for the year, net of taxes

     (14,262      (19,967

Amount reclassified to profit, net of taxes

     2,774        6,175  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31

   W (274      11,214  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

27.

Operating Revenue

Disaggregation of operating revenues considering the economic factors that affect the nature, amounts, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s revenue and future cash flows is as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Products transferred at a point in time:

 

Product sales

   W 115,062        108,233  

Services transferred over time:

 

Wireless service revenue(*1)

     10,554,390        10,463,131  

Cellular interconnection revenue

     445,244        485,496  

Other(*2)

     1,474,524        1,357,728  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,474,158        12,306,355  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     W12,589,220      12,414,588  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Wireless service revenue includes revenue from wireless voice and data transmission services, which is collected from the wireless subscribers.

(*2)

Other revenue includes revenue from billing and collection services as well as other miscellaneous services.

The Company has a right to receive consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of telecommunications service provided; thus, the Company applies practical expedient method and recognizes revenue in the amount to which the Company has a right to invoice.

Most of the Company’s transactions are occurring in Korea as it principally operates its businesses in Korea.

 

28.

Other Operating Expenses

Details of other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Communication

   W 26,827        27,041  

Utilities

     377,028        301,284  

Taxes and dues

     23,229        37,538  

Repair

     257,829        267,067  

Research and development

     336,377        338,389  

Training

     28,771        28,778  

Bad debt for accounts receivable – trade

     28,765        16,053  

Supplies and others

     51,372        48,112  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 1,130,198        1,064,262  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

29.

Other Non-Operating Income and Expenses

Details of other non-operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Other non-operating income:

     

Gain on disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets

   W 20,825        14,073  

Others

     20,019        31,089  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 40,844        45,162  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other non-operating expenses:

     

Loss on disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets

   W 3,929        5,722  

Donations

     12,966        11,442  

Bad debt for accounts receivable – other

     4,349        2,071  

Others

     2,775        9,770  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 24,019        29,005  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

30.

Finance Income and Costs

 

  (1)

Details of finance income and costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Finance income:

     

Interest income

   W 36,937        34,124  

Gain on sale of accounts receivable – other

     —         1,043  

Dividends

     209,195        50,927  

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     9,015        7,945  

Gain on foreign currency translations

     300        345  

Gain relating to financial instruments at FVTPL

     87,199        40,581  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 342,646        134,965  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Finance costs:

     

Interest expense

   W 325,769        287,865  

Loss on sale of accounts receivable – other

     65,027        61,841  

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     8,115        9,304  

Loss on foreign currency translations

     660        961  

Loss relating to financial instruments at FVTPL

     41,819        27,635  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 441,390        387,606  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Details of interest income included in finance income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Interest income on cash equivalents and short-term financial instruments

   W 18,484        11,268  

Interest income on loans and others

     18,453        22,856  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 36,937        34,124  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

30.

Finance Income and Costs, Continued

 

  (3)

Details of interest expenses included in finance costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Interest expense on borrowings

   W 27,151        23,413  

Interest expense on debentures

     200,571        184,049  

Others

     98,047        80,403  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 325,769        287,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (4)

Finance income and costs by category of financial instruments for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows. Bad debt expense for accounts receivable – trade, loans and receivables are presented and explained separately in notes 5 and 35.

 

  1)

Finance income and costs

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023  
     Finance
income(*)
     Finance
costs
 

Financial assets:

     

Financial assets at FVTPL

   W 87,758        106,846  

Financial assets at FVOCI

     39,681        —   

Financial assets at amortized cost

     36,299        8,726  

Derivatives designated as hedging instrument

     2,343        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     166,081        115,572  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

     

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

     6,717        —   

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

     1,503        325,818  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,220        325,818  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 174,301        441,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Finance income does not include W168,345 million of dividends received from subsidiaries and associates for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

30.

Finance Income and Costs, Continued

 

  (4)

Finance income and costs by category of financial instruments for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows. Bad debt expense (reversal of loss allowance) for accounts receivable – trade, loans and receivables are presented and explained separately in notes 5 and 35, Continued:

 

  1)

Finance income and costs, Continued

 

(In millions of won)              
     2022  
     Finance
income(*)
     Finance
costs
 

Financial assets:

     

Financial assets at FVTPL

   W 34,466        89,329  

Financial assets at FVOCI

     1,495        —   

Financial assets at amortized cost

     26,987        10,245  

Derivatives designated as hedging instrument

     —         146  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     62,948        99,720  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

     

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

     18,432        —   

Derivatives designated as hedging instrument

     4,152        287,886  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     22,584        287,886  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 85,532        387,606  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

Finance income does not include W49,433 million of dividends received from subsidiaries and associates for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

  2)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Financial assets:

     

Financial assets at FVOCI

   W (39,221)        (481,023)  

Derivatives designated as hedging instrument

     (11,488)        (13,792)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (50,709)        (494,815)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (5)

Details of impairment losses for financial assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Accounts receivable – trade

   W 28,765        16,053  

Other receivables

     4,349        2,071  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 33,114        18,124  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

31.

Income Tax Expense

 

  (1)

Income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consist of the following:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Current tax expense:

     

Current year

   W 249,527        197,216  

Current tax of prior years

     (4,247      66,055  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     245,280        263,271  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax expense:

     

Changes in net deferred tax assets

     49,909        13,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   W 295,189        276,760  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (2)

The difference between income taxes computed using the statutory corporate income tax rates and the recorded income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is attributable to the following:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Profit before income tax

   W 1,354,939        1,146,250  

Income taxes at statutory income tax rate

     347,342        304,857  

Non-taxable income

     (37,230      (8,814

Non-deductible expenses

     13,071        9,870  

Tax credit and tax reduction

     (51,843      (5,332

Changes in unrecognized deferred taxes

     25,671        (4,572

Income tax paid (refund)

     (4,247      48,775  

Changes in tax rate and other

     2,425        (68,024
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   W 295,189        276,760  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (3)

Deferred taxes directly charged to (credited from) equity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Valuation gain on financial assets measured at fair value

   W 12,922        166,188  

Valuation gain on derivatives

     3,843        5,199  

Remeasurement of defined benefit assets

     (14,477      (800

Loss on disposal of treasury shares

     (53      (28,108
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 2,235        142,479  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

31.

Income Tax Expense, Continued

 

  (4)

Changes in deferred tax assets (liabilities) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    2023  
     Beginning     Deferred tax
expense
(income)
    Directly charged
to (credited
from) equity
    Ending  

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) related to temporary differences:

        

Loss allowance

   W 43,512       64       —        43,576  

Accrued interest income

     (293     38       —        (255

Financial assets measured at fair value

     (12,930     (5,313     12,922       (5,321

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     5,034       (20,764     —        (15,730

Property and equipment

     (345,754     (53,025     —        (398,779

Retirement benefit obligation

     2,919       (293     (14,477     (11,851

Valuation gain on derivatives

     18,112       2,144       3,843       24,099  

Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation

     20,624       34       —        20,658  

Incremental costs to acquire a contract

     (707,002     33,422       —        (673,580

Right-of-use assets

     (344,023     35,307       —        (308,716

Lease liabilities

     345,739       (37,106     —        308,633  

Others

     129,858       (56,259     (53     73,546  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W (844,204     (101,751     2,235       (943,720
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax credit

     89,883       51,842       —        141,725  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W (754,321     (49,909     2,235       (801,995
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

31.

Income Tax Expense, Continued

 

  (4)

Changes in deferred tax assets (liabilities) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(In millions of won)    2022  
     Beginning     Deferred tax
expense
(income)
    Directly charged
to (credited
from) equity
    Ending  

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) related to temporary differences:

        

Loss allowance

   W 45,734       (2,222     —        43,512  

Accrued interest income

     (87     (206     —        (293

Financial assets measured at fair value

     (158,404     (20,714     166,188       (12,930

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     59       4,975       —        5,034  

Property and equipment

     (271,151     (74,603     —        (345,754

Retirement benefit obligation

     6,947       (3,228     (800     2,919  

Valuation gain on derivatives

     11,846       1,067       5,199       18,112  

Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation

     21,368       (744     —        20,624  

Incremental costs to acquire a contract

     (744,267     37,265       —        (707,002

Right-of-use assets

     (359,798     15,775       —        (344,023

Lease liabilities

     357,488       (11,749     —        345,739  

Others

     122,394       35,572       (28,108     129,858  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W (967,871)       (18,812     142,479       (844,204
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax credit

     84,560       5,323       —        89,883  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W (883,311)       (13,489     142,479       (754,321
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (5)

Details of temporary differences not recognized as deferred tax assets (liabilities) in the statements of financial position as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Loss allowance

   W 77,405        77,405  

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     585,877        483,857  

Other temporary differences

     372,134        372,134  

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

32.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share is calculated to profit of the Company per common share and dilutive potential common share, and details are as follows:

 

  (1)

Basic earnings per share

 

  1)

Basic earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are calculated as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for share data and basic earnings per share)              
     2023      2022  

Profit for the year

   W 1,059,750        869,490  

Interest on hybrid bonds

     (17,283      (14,766
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit for the year on common shares

     1,042,467        854,724  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     217,264,615        217,994,490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share (in won)

   W 4,798        3,921  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  2)

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are calculated as follows:

 

(In shares)    2023  
     Number of
common shares
     Weighted average number of
common shares
 

Issued shares as of January 1, 2023

     218,833,144        218,833,144  

Treasury shares as of January 1, 2023

     (801,091      (801,091

Acquisition of treasury shares

     (5,773,410      (1,154,633

Disposal of treasury shares

     441,087        387,195  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     212,699,730        217,264,615  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In shares)    2022  
     Number of
common shares
     Weighted average number of
common shares
 

Issued shares as of January 1, 2022

     218,833,144        218,833,144  

Treasury shares as of January 1, 2022

     (1,250,992      (1,250,992

Disposal of treasury shares

     449,901        412,338  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     218,032,053        217,994,490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

32.

Earnings per Share, Continued

 

  (2)

Diluted earnings per share

 

  1)

Diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are calculated as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for share data and diluted earnings per share)              
     2023      2022  

Profit for the year on common shares

   W 1,042,467        854,724  

Adjusted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     217,452,721        218,108,742  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share (in won)

   W 4,794        3,919  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  2)

The adjusted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are calculated as follows:

 

(In shares)              
     2023      2022  

Outstanding shares as of January 1

     218,032,053        217,582,152  

Effect of treasury shares

     (767,438      412,338  

Effect of share option

     188,106        114,252  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     217,452,721        218,108,742  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

84


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

33.

Dividends

 

  (1)

Details of dividends declared

Details of dividend declared for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, except for face value and share data)  

Year

  

Dividend type

   Number of shares
outstanding
     Face value
(in won)
     Dividend ratio     Dividends  

2023

   Cash dividends (Interim)      218,466,141        100        830   W 181,327  
   Cash dividends (Interim)      218,473,140        100        830     181,333  
   Cash dividends (Interim)      216,412,898        100        830     179,623  
  

Cash dividends

(Year-end)

     212,699,730        100        1,050     223,335  
             

 

 

 
              W 765,618  
             

 

 

 

2022

   Cash dividends (Interim)      218,002,830        100        830   W 180,942  
   Cash dividends (Interim)      218,032,053        100        830     180,967  
   Cash dividends (Interim)      218,032,053        100        830     180,967  
  

Cash dividends

(Year-end)

     218,032,053        100        830     180,967  
             

 

 

 
              W 723,843  
             

 

 

 

 

  (2)

Dividends yield ratio

Dividends yield ratios for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In won)         

Year

  

Dividend type

   Dividend per share      Closing price at
year-end
     Dividend yield
ratio
 

2023

   Cash dividends      3,540        50,100        7.07

2022

   Cash dividends      3,320        47,400        7.00

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

34.

Categories of Financial Instruments

 

  (1)

Financial assets by category as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2023  
     Financial
assets at
FVTPL
     Equity
instruments at
FVOCI
     Financial assets at
amortized cost
     Derivatives
hedging
instrument
     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   W 4,774        —         626,292        —         631,066  

Financial instruments

     47,364        —         139,354        —         186,718  

Long-term investment securities(*)

     218,685        1,207,605        —         —         1,426,290  

Accounts receivable – trade

     —         —         1,495,617        —         1,495,617  

Loans and other receivables

     273,945        —         612,432        —         886,377  

Derivative financial assets

     2,323        —         —         116,210        118,533  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 547,091        1,207,605        2,873,695        116,210        4,744,601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

The Company designated W1,207,605 million of equity instruments that are not held for trading as financial assets at FVOCI.

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2022  
     Financial
assets at
FVTPL
     Equity
instruments
at FVOCI
     Financial assets at
amortized cost
     Derivatives
hedging
instrument
     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   W 1,390        —         1,216,114        —         1,217,504  

Financial instruments

     90,815        —         79,368        —         170,183  

Long-term investment securities(*)

     88,403        1,066,785               —         1,155,188  

Accounts receivable – trade

     —         —         1,425,695        —         1,425,695  

Loans and other receivables

     332,669        —         707,225        —         1,039,894  

Derivative financial assets

     28,114        —                222,622        250,736  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 541,391        1,066,785        3,428,402        222,622        5,259,200  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

The Company designated W1,066,785 million of equity instruments that are not held for trading as financial assets at FVOCI.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

34.

Categories of Financial Instruments, Continued

 

  (2)

Financial liabilities by category as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2023  
     Financial liabilities
at FVTPL
     Financial liabilities
at amortized cost
     Total  

Derivative financial liabilities

   W 295,876        —         295,876  

Borrowings

     —         640,000        640,000  

Debentures

     —         6,666,939        6,666,939  

Lease liabilities(*)

     —         1,226,545        1,226,545  

Accounts payable – other and others

     —         4,146,076        4,146,076  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 295,876        12,679,560        12,975,436  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2022  
     Financial liabilities
at FVTPL
     Financial liabilities
at amortized cost
     Total  

Derivative financial liabilities

   W 302,593        —         302,593  

Borrowings

     —         840,000        840,000  

Debentures

     —         6,988,970        6,988,970  

Lease liabilities(*)

     —         1,379,311        1,379,311  

Accounts payable – other and others

     —         5,009,512        5,009,512  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 302,593        14,217,793        14,520,386  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

The categorization of financial liabilities is not applicable to lease liabilities, but they are classified as financial liabilities measured at amortized cost, considering the nature of measuring liabilities.

 

87


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management

 

  (1)

Financial risk management

The Company is exposed to market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is the risk related to the changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and price fluctuations. The Company implements a risk management system to monitor and manage these specific risks.

The Company’s financial assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, financial instruments, long-term investment securities, accounts receivable – trade and others, etc. Financial liabilities consist of accounts payable – other and others, borrowings, debentures, lease liabilities and others.

 

  1)

Market risk

 

  (i)

Currency risk

The Company’s currency risk is mainly related to changes in recognized assets and liabilities due to exchange rate fluctuations. If the Company determines that it is necessary to hedge currency risk for business purposes, the Company manages currency risk by using currency swaps, etc. Currency risk occurs on forecasted transactions and recognized assets and liabilities which are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won, thousands of foreign currencies)  
     Assets      Liabilities  
     Foreign
currencies
     Won
equivalent
     Foreign
currencies
     Won
equivalent
 

USD

     24,551      W 31,656        706,572      W 911,054  

EUR

     654        933        3        4  

Others

     —         336        —         —   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 
      W 32,925         W 911,058  
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

In addition, the Company has entered into cross currency swaps to hedge against currency risk related to foreign currency debentures. (See Note 19)

As of December 31, 2023, a hypothetical change in exchange rates by 10% would have increased (decreased) the Company’s profit before income tax and equity as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     Profit before income tax     

 

     Equity  
     If increased by 10%      If decreased by 10%      If increased by 10%      If decreased by 10%  

USD

   W 1,982        (1,982    W 1,982        (1,982

EUR

     93        (93      93        (93

Others

     34        (34      34        (34
     

 

 

       

 

 

 
   W 2,109        (2,109    W 2,109        (2,109
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

88


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (1)

Financial risk management, Continued

 

  1)

Market risk, Continued

 

  (ii)

Interest rate risk

The interest rate risk of the Company arises from borrowings, debentures and long-term payables – other. Since the Company’s interest-bearing assets are mostly fixed-interest bearing assets, the Company’s revenue and operating cash flows from the interest-bearing assets are not influenced by the changes in market interest rates.

The Company performs various analysis to reduce interest rate risk and to optimize its financing. To minimize risks arising from changes in interest rates, the Company takes various measures, such as refinancing, renewal, alternative financing and hedging.

As of December 31, 2023, floating-rate borrowings and debentures amount to W40,000 million and W386,820 million, respectively, and the Company has entered into interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk related to the floating-rate debentures. Therefore, profit before income tax for the year ended December 31, 2023 would not have been affected by the changes in interest rates of floating-rate debentures. If the interest rate increases (decreases) by 1%p with all other variables held constant, profit before income tax and equity for the year ended December 31, 2023 would change by W400 million in relation to the floating-rate borrowings which have not entered into interest rate swaps.

As of December 31, 2023, the floating-rate long-term payables – other are W1,290,225 million. If the interest rate increases (decreases) by 1%p with all other variables held constant, profit before income tax and equity for the year ended December 31, 2023, would change by W12,902 million in relation to the floating-rate long-term payables – other that are exposed to interest rate risk.

 

89


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (1)

Financial risk management, Continued

 

  1)

Market risk, Continued

 

  (ii)

Interest rate risk, Continued

 

Non-derivative financial liabilities

The Company’s non-derivative financial liabilities subject to interest rate benchmark reform as of December 31, 2022 were floating-rate bonds indexed to USD LIBOR. The Company completed discussion with the counterparty about including the fallback clauses as of December 31, 2023.

Derivatives

The Company’s derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedge are governed by contracts based on the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) master agreements. As part of interest rate benchmark reform, ISDA has included a new fallback clause regarding which alterative benchmark interest rate to be applied when the calculation of major IBOR is suspended in the master agreement. The master agreement is applied to derivative contracts after January 25, 2021 and the transaction parties are required to adhere to ISDA protocol to include the same fallback clause into derivative contracts executed before January 25, 2021. The Company has adhered to ISDA protocol for transition to the alternative benchmark interest rate and the fallback clause will be included when counterparties adhere to the protocol to include. The Company’s counterparties have adhered to ISDA protocol and agreed to include the fallback clause.

 

  (iii)

Price fluctuations risk

As of December 31, 2023, the Company holds equity instruments in an active trading market, exposing it to price fluctuation risk. Assuming all other variables remain constant, the impact on the Company’s profit before income tax and equity resulting from a 10% fluctuation in the per-share stock price of the equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows.

 

(In millions of won)       
     Profit before income tax      Equity  
     If increased by 10%      If decreased by 10%      If increased by 10%      If decreased by 10%  
   W —         —       W 84,647        (84,647

 

90


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (1)

Financial risk management, Continued

 

  2)

Credit risk

The maximum credit exposure as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     December 31, 2023      December 31, 2022  

Cash and cash equivalents

   W 631,021        1,217,467  

Financial instruments

     186,718        170,183  

Investment securities

     —         900  

Accounts receivable – trade

     1,495,617        1,425,695  

Contract assets

     21,613        33,098  

Loans and other receivables

     886,377        1,039,894  

Derivative financial assets

     118,533        250,736  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 3,339,879        4,137,973  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. To manage credit risk, the Company evaluates the credit worthiness of each customer or counterparty by considering the party’s financial information, its own trading records and other factors. Based on such information, the Company establishes credit limits for each customer or counterparty.

 

91


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (1)

Financial risk management, Continued

 

  2)

Credit risk, Continued

 

(i) Accounts receivable – trade and contract assets

The Company establishes a loss allowance in respect of accounts receivable – trade and contract assets. The main components of this allowance are a specific loss component that relates to individually significant exposures and a collective loss component established for groups of similar assets in respect of losses that are expected to occur. The collective loss allowance is determined based on historical data of collection statistics for similar financial assets. Details of changes in loss allowance for the year ended December 31, 2023 are included in note 5.

(ii) Debt investments

The credit risk arises from debt investments included in W186,718 million of financial instruments, and W886,377 million of loans and other receivables. To limit the exposure to this risk, the Company transacts only with financial institutions with credit ratings that are considered to be low credit risk.

Most of the Company’s debt investments are considered to have a low risk of default and the borrower has a strong capacity to meet its contractual cash flow obligations in the near term. Thus the Company measured the loss allowance for the debt investments at an amount equal to 12-month expected credit losses.

Meanwhile, the Company monitors changes in credit risk at each reporting date. The Company recognized the loss allowance at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses when the credit risk on the debt investments is assumed to have increased significantly if it is more than 30 days past due.

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is equal to each financial asset’s carrying amount. The gross carrying amounts of each financial asset except for the accounts receivable – trade and derivative financial assets as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)

 

     Financial
assets at
FVTPL
     Financial assets at amortized cost  
     12-month ECL      Lifetime ECL – not
credit impaired
     Lifetime ECL –
credit impaired
 

Gross carrying amount

   W 321,309        747,476        7,570        66,295  

Loss allowance

     —         (2,590      (3,089      (63,876
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying amount

   W 321,309        744,886        4,481        2,419  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

92


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (1)

Financial risk management, Continued

2) Credit risk, Continued

 

  (ii)

Debt investments, Continued

 

Changes in the loss allowance for the debt investments for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)

    
     12-month ECL     Lifetime ECL –
not credit impaired
    Lifetime ECL –
credit impaired
    Total  

December 31, 2022

   W 2,803       3,314       68,332       74,449  

Remeasurement of loss allowance, net

     655       3,043       651       4,349  

Transfer to lifetime ECL – not credit impaired

     (868     868       —        —   

Transfer to lifetime ECL – credit impaired

     —        (4,136     4,136       —   

Amounts written off

     —        —        (16,156     (16,156

Recovery of amounts written off

     —        —        6,913       6,913  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

   W 2,590       3,089       63,876       69,555  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(iii) Cash and cash equivalents

The Company deposits W631,021 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 (W1,217,467 million as of December 31, 2022) at banks and financial institutions with credit ratings above the certain level. The impairment on cash and cash equivalents was measured using a 12-month expected credit loss, taking into account the short-term exposure. The Company assessed the risk of cash and cash equivalents based on the counterparty’s external credit rating, determining it to be low.

 

93


Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (1)

Financial risk management, Continued

 

  3)

Liquidity risk

The Company’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure that it will always maintain sufficient cash and cash equivalents balances and have enough liquidity through various committed credit lines. The Company maintains enough liquidity within credit lines through active operating activities.

Contractual maturities of financial liabilities as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     Carrying
amount
     Contractual
cash flows
     Less than 1
year
     1 – 5 years      More than
5 years
 

Borrowings(*)

   W 640,000        656,806        401,710        255,096        —   

Debentures(*)

     6,666,939        7,684,857        1,083,773        4,416,636        2,184,448  

Lease liabilities

     1,226,545        1,346,200        345,144        839,668        161,388  

Accounts payable – other and others(*)

     4,146,076        4,256,188        3,266,135        990,053        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 12,679,560        13,944,051        5,096,762        6,501,453        2,345,836  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*)

The contractual cash flow is amount that includes interest payables.

The Company does not expect that the cash flows included in the maturity analysis could occur significantly earlier or in significantly different amounts.

As of December 31, 2023, periods in which cash flows from cash flow hedge derivatives are expected to occur are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     Carrying
amount
     Contractual
cash flows
     Less than 1
year
     1 – 5 years  

Assets

   W 116,210        123,260        30,928        92,332  

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (2)

Capital management

The Company manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to shareholders through the optimization of its debt and equity structure. The overall strategy of the Company is the same as that for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The Company monitors its debt-equity ratio as a capital management indicator. This ratio is calculated as total liabilities divided by total equity from the separate financial statements.

Debt-equity ratio as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)             
     December 31, 2023     December 31, 2022  

Total liabilities

   W 14,559,839       16,048,739  

Total equity

     10,436,093       10,383,382  

Debt-equity ratios

     139.51     154.56

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (3)

Fair value

 

  1)

Fair value and carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities including fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2023  
     Carrying
amount
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets that are measured at fair value:

              

FVTPL

   W 547,091        —         326,083        221,008        547,091  

Derivative hedging instruments

     116,210        —         116,210        —         116,210  

FVOCI

     1,207,605        1,131,033        —         76,572        1,207,605  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 1,870,906        1,131,033        442,293        297,580        1,870,906  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities that are measured at fair value:

              

Derivative financial liabilities

   W 295,876        —         —         295,876        295,876  

Financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value:

              

Borrowings

   W 640,000        —         638,536        —         638,536  

Debentures

     6,666,939        —         6,503,016        —         6,503,016  

Long-term payables – other

     1,260,453        —         1,294,977        —         1,294,977  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 8,567,392        —         8,436,529        —         8,436,529  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2022  
     Carrying
amount
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets that are measured at fair value:

              

FVTPL

   W 541,391        —         424,876        116,515        541,391  

Derivative hedging instruments

     222,622        —         222,622        —         222,622  

FVOCI

     1,066,785        987,065        —         79,720        1,066,785  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 1,830,798        987,065        647,498        196,235        1,830,798  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities that are measured at fair value:

              

Derivative financial liabilities

   W 302,593        —         —         302,593        302,593  

Financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value:

              

Borrowings

   W 840,000        —         817,771        —         817,771  

Debentures

     6,988,970        —         6,488,453        —         6,488,453  

Long-term payables – other

     1,638,341        —         1,614,934        —         1,614,934  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 9,467,311        —         8,921,158        —         8,921,158  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (3)

Fair value, Continued

 

  1)

Fair value and carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities including fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

The above information does not include fair values of financial assets and liabilities of which fair values have not been measured as carrying amounts are reasonable approximation of fair values.

Fair value of the financial instruments that are traded in an active market (financial assets at FVOCI) is measured based on the bid price at the end of the reporting date.

The Company uses various valuation methods for determination of fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market. Derivative financial contracts and long-term liabilities are measured using the discounted present value methods. Other financial assets are determined using the methods such as discounted cash flow and market approach. Inputs used in such valuation methods include swap rate, interest rate and risk premium, and the Company performs valuation using the inputs which are consistent with natures of assets and liabilities measured.

Interest rates used by the Company for the fair value measurement as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

     Interest rate

Derivative instruments

   3.80% ~ 4.43%

Borrowings and debentures

   3.84% ~ 3.84%

Long-term payables – other

   3.72% ~ 3.85%

 

  2)

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The changes of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    Balance as of
January 1, 2023
    Gain (loss)
for the year
    OCI     Acquisition      Disposal     Balance as of
December 31, 2023
 

Financial assets:

             

FVTPL

   W 116,515       (39,896     —        152,110        (7,721     221,008  

FVOCI

     79,720       —        (3,148     —         —        76,572  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 196,235       (39,896     (3,148     152,110        (7,721     297,580  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

             

FVTPL

   W (302,593     6,717       —        —         —        (295,876

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

35.

Financial Risk Management, Continued

 

  (4)

Enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement

Carrying amount of financial instruments recognized to which offset agreements are applicable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2023  
     Gross financial
instruments
recognized
     Amount
offset
    Net financial
instruments
presented on the
separate
statement of
financial position
 

Financial assets:

       

Accounts receivable – trade and others

   W 72,597        (72,597     —   

Financial liabilities:

       

Accounts payable – other and others

   W 74,388        (72,597     1,791  

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2022  
     Gross financial
instruments
recognized
     Amount
offset
    Net financial
instruments
presented on the
separate
statement of
financial position
 

Financial assets:

       

Accounts receivable – trade and others

   W 82,987        (82,987     —   

Financial liabilities:

       

Accounts payable – other and others

   W 85,955        (82,987     2,968  

.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties

 

  (1)

List of related parties

 

Relationship

  

Company

Ultimate controlling entity    SK Inc.
Subsidiaries    SK Broadband Co., Ltd. and 24 others(*)
Joint venture    UTC Kakao-SK Telecom ESG Fund
Associates    SK China Company Ltd. and 44 others
Others    The Ultimate controlling entity’s subsidiaries and associates and others.

 

(*)

As of December 31, 2023, subsidiaries of the Company are as follows:

 

Subsidiary

   Ownership
percentage
(%)(*1)
    

Primary business

Subsidiaries owned by the Company

  

SK Telink Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

International telecommunication and Mobile Virtual Network Operator service

  

SK Communications Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Internet website services

  

SK Broadband Co., Ltd.

     74.4     

Fixed-line telecommunication services

  

PS&Marketing Corporation

     100.0     

Communications device retail business

  

SERVICE ACE Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Call center management service

  

SERVICE TOP Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Call center management service

  

SK O&S Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Base station maintenance service

  

SK Telecom China Holdings Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Investment (Holdings company)

  

SK Global Healthcare Business Group., Ltd.

     100.0     

Investment

  

YTK Investment Ltd.

     100.0     

Investment

  

Atlas Investment

     100.0     

Investment

  

SK Telecom Americas, Inc

     100.0     

Information gathering and consulting

  

Quantum Innovation Fund I

     59.9     

Investment

  

Happy Hanool Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Service

  

SK stoa Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Other telecommunication retail business

  

SAPEON Inc.

     62.5     

Manufacturing non-memory and other electronic integrated circuits

Subsidiaries owned by SK Broadband Co., Ltd.

  

Home & Service Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Operation of information and communication facility

  

Media S Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Production and supply services of broadcasting programs

Subsidiary owned by PS&Marketing Corporation

  

SK m&service Co., Ltd.

     100.0     

Database and internet website service

Subsidiary owned by Quantum Innovation Fund I

  

PanAsia Semiconductor Materials LLC.

     66.4     

Investment

Subsidiary owned by SAPEON Inc.

  

SAPEON Korea Inc.

     100.0     

Manufacturing non-memory and other electronic integrated circuits

Subsidiaries owned by SK Telecom Americas, Inc.(*2)

  

Global AI Platform Corporation Korea

     100.0     

Software development and supply services

  

Global AI Platform Corporation

     100.0     

Software development and supply services

Others(*3)

  

SK Telecom Innovation Fund, L.P.

     100.0     

Investment

  

SK Telecom China Fund I L.P.

     100.0     

Investment

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (1)

List of related parties, Continued:

 

(*1)

The ownership interest represents direct ownership interest in subsidiaries either by the Company or subsidiaries of the Company.

 

(*2)

SK Telecom Americas, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, newly established Global AI Platform Corporation Korea Co., Ltd. and Global AI Platform Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

(*3)

Others are owned by Atlas Investment and another subsidiary of the Company.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company belongs to SK Group, a conglomerate as defined in the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act. All of the other entities included in SK Group are considered related parties of the Company.

 

  (2)

Compensation for the key management

The Company considers registered directors who have substantial role and responsibility in planning, operations and relevant controls of the business as key management. The compensation given to such key management for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)              
     2023      2022  

Salaries

   W 4,139        3,487  

Defined benefit plan expenses

     1,005        761  

Share option

     2,542        1,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 7,686        5,846  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Compensation for the key management includes salaries, non-monetary salaries and defined benefits made in relation to the pension plan and compensation expenses related to share options granted.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (3)

Transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)         2023  

Scope

  

Company

   Operating
revenue
and others
     Operating
expense and
others (*1)
     Acquisition of property
and equipment and
others
 

Ultimate Controlling Entity

  

SK Inc.(*2)

   W 12,897        542,435        79,080  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

  

SK Broadband Co., Ltd. (*3)

     312,739        598,966        1,259  
  

PS&Marketing Corporation(*4)

     7,226        1,257,951        1,483  
  

SK O&S Co., Ltd.

     3,309        252,121        73,450  
  

SK Telink Co., Ltd.(*5)

     108,567        12,838        —   
   SERVICE ACE Co., Ltd.(*6)      15,058        125,219        —   
   SERVICE TOP Co., Ltd.(*7)      10,933        127,703        —   
   SK Communications Co., Ltd.      1,440        3,309        1,936  
   Others      9,529        26,665        1,008  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        468,801        2,404,772        79,136  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates

   F&U Credit information Co., Ltd.      2,151        45,122        552  
   SK USA, Inc      —         5,384        —   
   Daehan Kanggun BcN Co., Ltd.      12,972        —         —   
   Others(*8)      8,806        15,717        827  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        23,929        66,223        1,379  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

   SK Innovation Co., Ltd.      19,164        13,709        —   
   SK Networks Co., Ltd.      1,256        12,303        —   
   SK Networks Service Co., Ltd.      538        45,101        2,758  
   SK Energy Co., Ltd.      1,837        363        —   
   Content Wavve Corp.      14,478        87,238        —   
   Happy Narae Co., Ltd.      148        30,242        79,776  
   SK Shieldus Co., Ltd.      50,997        93,776        14,595  
   Eleven Street Co., Ltd.      7,325        32,693        —   
   SK Planet Co., Ltd.      5,793        79,926        7,642  
   SK hynix Inc.      47,486        178        —   
   Tmap Mobility Co., Ltd.      15,397        8,907        —   
   Dreamus Company      4,815        76,755        284  
   One Store Co., Ltd.      15,696        160        —   
  

UNA Engineering Inc.

(Formerly, UbiNS Co., Ltd.)

     —         5,842        18,177  
   Others      33,481        27,223        13,142  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        218,411        514,416        136,374  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      W 724,038        3,527,846        295,969  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (3)

Transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(*1)

Operating expense and others include lease payments by the Company.

(*2)

Operating expense and others include W218,019 million of dividends paid by the Company.

(*3)

Operating revenue and others include W149,526 million of dividend income received.

(*4)

Operating expense and others include W685,233 million paid to PS&Marketing Corporation relating to purchase of accounts receivable resulting from sale of handsets.

(*5)

Operating revenue and others include W3,009 million of dividend income received.

(*6)

Operating revenue and others include W4,004 million of dividend income received.

(*7)

Operating revenue and others include W3,000 million of dividend income received.

(*8)

Operating revenue and others include W2,165 million of dividends received from Korea IT Fund, W5,906 million of dividends received from Citadel Pacific Telecom Holdings, LLC and W735 million of dividends received from UNISK(Beijing) Information Technology Co., Ltd.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (3)

Transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(In millions of won)         2022  

Scope

  

Company

   Operating
revenue
and others
     Operating
expense and
others (*1)
     Acquisition of property
and equipment and
others
 

Ultimate Controlling Entity

  

SK Inc.(*2)

   W 13,225        575,336        74,929  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

   SK Broadband Co., Ltd.      144,568        577,970        4,666  
   PS&Marketing Corporation(*3)      9,414        1,298,018        1,224  
  

SK O&S Co., Ltd. (*4)

     6,093        238,871        84,966  
   SK Telink Co., Ltd.(*5)      105,052        16,135        —   
   SERVICE ACE Co., Ltd.(*6)      19,080        123,773        —   
   SERVICE TOP Co., Ltd.(*7)      16,359        128,163        —   
   SK Communications Co., Ltd.      1,334        3,466        2,331  
   Broadband Nowon Co., Ltd.(*8)      13,725        —         —   
   Others      4,252        28,198        799  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        319,877        2,414,594        93,986  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates

   F&U Credit information Co., Ltd.      1,229        42,877        265  
   SK USA, Inc      —         5,043        —   
   HanaCard Co., Ltd.(*9)      2,629        1,133        22  
   Daehan Kanggun BcN Co., Ltd.      20,290        —         —   
   Others(*10)      13,700        421        80  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        37,848        49,474        367  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

   SK Innovation Co., Ltd.      14,463        13,890        —   
   SK Networks Co., Ltd.      1,396        15,020        288  
   SK Networks Service Co., Ltd.      778        43,065        3,030  
   SK Energy Co., Ltd.      2,239        302        —   
   Content Wavve Corp.      6,781        108,745        175  
   Happy Narae Co., Ltd.      143        15,199        129,375  
   SK Shieldus Co., Ltd.      32,036        96,085        19,379  
   Eleven Street Co., Ltd.      8,529        29,248        —   
   SK Planet Co., Ltd.      7,965        84,257        9,850  
   SK hynix Inc.      47,145        75        —   
   Tmap Mobility Co., Ltd.      13,810        4,925        892  
   Dreamus Company      6,101        84,919        649  
   One Store Co., Ltd.      16,610        1        —   
  

UNA Engineering Inc.

(Formerly, UbiNS Co., Ltd.)

     —         4,001        22,799  
   Others      31,027        29,150        20,554  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        189,023        528,882        206,991  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      W 559,973        3,568,286        376,273  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (3)

Transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(*1)

Operating expense and others include lease payments by the Company.

(*2)

Operating expense and others include W272,524 million of dividends paid by the Company.

(*3)

Operating expense and others include W690,052 million paid to PS&Marketing Corporation relating to purchase of accounts receivable resulting from sale of handsets.

(*4)

Operating revenue and others include W3,000 million of dividend income received.

(*5)

Operating revenue and others include W3,009 million of dividend income received.

(*6)

Operating revenue and others include W8,003 million of dividend income received.

(*7)

Operating revenue and others include W8,000 million of dividend income received.

(*8)

Operating revenue and others include W13,721 million of dividend income received before the related party relationship terminated.

(*9)

HanaCard Co., Ltd. was excluded from the related parties due to the disposal of the Company’s shares in the entity for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the transactions above occurred before the disposal.

(*10)

Operating revenue and others include W13,700 million of dividend income received from Korea IT Fund.

 

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Table of Contents

SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (4)

Account balances with related parties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2023  
          Receivables      Payables  

Scope

  

Company

   Loans      Accounts receivable –
trade, etc.
     Accounts payable –
other, etc.
 

Ultimate Controlling Entity

   SK Inc.    W —         1,411        85,758  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

   SK Broadband Co., Ltd.      —         60,464        234,710  
   PS&Marketing Corporation      —         1,230        57,560  
   SK O&S Co., Ltd.      —         7        68,671  
   SK Telink Co., Ltd.      —         22,632        18,154  
   SERVICE ACE Co., Ltd.      —         460        26,828  
   SERVICE TOP Co., Ltd.      —         —         24,208  
   SK Communications Co., Ltd.      —         2        7,033  
   Others      —         3,230        15,775  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        —         88,025        452,939  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates

   F&U Credit information Co., Ltd.      —         3        4,060  
   Daehan Kanggun BcN Co., Ltd.(*1)      22,147        4,702        —   
   SK USA, Inc      —         —         972  
   Konan Technology Inc.      —         —         224  
  

Others

     —         —         2,239  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        22,147        4,705        7,495  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

   SK hynix Inc.      —         6,806        2,251  
   SK Planet Co., Ltd.      —         9,313        5,579  
   Eleven Street Co., Ltd.      —         1,957        2,842  
   One Store Co., Ltd.      —         509        14,691  
   SK Shieldus Co., Ltd.      —         10,972        10,157  
   SK Innovation Co., Ltd.      —         3,308        27,806  
   SK Networks Co., Ltd.      —         41        32,003  
   SK Networks Services Co., Ltd.      —         —         8,314  
   SK RENT A CAR Co., Ltd.      —         70        14,101  
   Incross Co., Ltd.      —         1,607        659  
  

UNA Engineering Inc.

(Formerly, UbiNS Co., Ltd.)

     —         —         2,558  
   Mintit Co., Ltd.      —         17,025        —   
   Happy Narae Co., Ltd.      —         8        5,193  
   Content Wavve Co., Ltd.      —         1,476        —   
   Dreamus Company      —         504        2,315  
   Others      —         7,776        2,976  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        —         61,372        131,445  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        W22,147        155,513        677,637  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company recognized loss allowance for the entire balance of loans to Daehan Kanggun BcN Co., Ltd.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (4)

Account balances with related parties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(In millions of won)    December 31, 2022  
          Receivables      Payables  

Scope

  

Company

   Loans      Accounts receivable –
trade, etc.
     Accounts payable –
other, etc.
 

Ultimate Controlling Entity

   SK Inc.    W —         2,247        78,030  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

   SK Broadband Co., Ltd.      —         37,790        204,562  
   PS&Marketing Corporation      —         1,393        64,880  
   SK O&S Co., Ltd.      —         3        50,213  
   SK Telink Co., Ltd.      —         17,921        18,684  
   SERVICE ACE Co., Ltd.      —         379        26,720  
   SERVICE TOP Co., Ltd.      —         2        26,536  
   SK Communications Co., Ltd.      —         5        7,671  
   Others      —         1,085        20,529  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        —         58,578        419,795  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates

   F&U Credit information Co., Ltd.      —         5        4,775  
   Wave City Development Co., Ltd.(*1)      —         901        —   
   Daehan Kanggun BcN Co., Ltd.(*2)      22,147        3,199        —   
   SK USA, Inc      —         —         1,519  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        22,147        4,105        6,294  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

   SK hynix Inc.      —         13,705        311  
   SK Planet Co., Ltd.      —         6,648        28,097  
   Eleven Street Co., Ltd.      —         454        8,018  
   One Store Co., Ltd.      —         1,648        13,823  
   SK Shieldus Co., Ltd.      —         13,324        12,473  
   SK Innovation Co., Ltd.      —         5,592        32,305  
   SK Networks Co., Ltd.      —         426        36,903  
   SK Networks Services Co., Ltd.      —         —         9,241  
   SK RENT A CAR Co., Ltd.      —         89        9,920  
   Incross Co., Ltd.      —         2,335        15,527  
  

UNA Engineering Inc.

(Formerly, UbiNS Co., Ltd.)

     —         —         12,008  
   Mintit Co., Ltd.      —         34,853        —   
   Happy Narae Co., Ltd.      —         —         30,467  
   Content Wavve Co., Ltd.      —         349        19,239  
   Dreamus Company      —         146        3,659  
   Others      —         8,184        11,683  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        —         87,753        243,674  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      W 22,147        152,683        747,793  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2022, the Company recognized loss allowance amounting to W379 million on the accounts receivable – trade.

(*2)

As of December 31, 2022, the Company recognized loss allowance for the entire balance of loans to Daehan Kanggun BcN Co., Ltd.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

36.

Transactions with Related Parties, Continued

 

  (5)

The Company has granted SK REIT Co., Ltd. the right of first offer regarding the disposal of real estate owned by the Company. Whereby, the negotiation period is within 3 to 5 years from June 30, 2021, date of agreement, and the Company has been granted the right by SK REIT Co., Ltd. to lease the real estate in preference to a third party if SK REIT Co., Ltd. purchases the real estate from the Company.

  (6)

There were additional investments and disposal transactions in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2023 as presented in note 9.

 

37.

Commitments and Contingencies

 

  (1)

Accounts receivable from sale of handsets

The sales agents of the Company sell handsets to the Company’s subscribers on an installment basis. The Company entered into comprehensive agreements to purchase accounts receivable from handset sales with retail stores and authorized dealers and to transfer the accounts receivable from handset sales to special-purpose companies which were established with the purpose of liquidating receivables, respectively.

The accounts receivable from sale of handsets amounting to W291,747 million and W357,467 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which the Company purchased according to the relevant comprehensive agreement, are recognized as accounts receivable – other and long-term accounts receivable – other.

 

  (2)

Legal claims and litigations

As of December 31, 2023, the Company is involved in various legal claims and litigations. Provision recognized in relation to these claims and litigations is immaterial. In connection with those legal claims and litigations for which no provision was recognized, management does not believe the Company has a present obligation, nor is it expected that any of these claims or litigations will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results in the event an outflow of resources is ultimately necessary.

 

  (3)

Obligation relating to spin-off

The Company carried out the spin-off of its business of managing investments in semiconductor, New Information and Communication Technologies(“ICT”) and other businesses and making new investments on November 1, 2021. The Company has obligation to jointly and severally reimburse the Company’s liabilities incurred prior to the spin-off with SK Square Co., Ltd., the spin-off company, in accordance with Article 530-9 (1) of Korean Commercial Act.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

37.

Commitments and Contingencies, Continued

 

  (4)

Commitment of acquisition and disposal of shares

The Board of Directors of the Company resolved the acquisition and disposal of certain shares in order to strengthen the strategic alliance with Hana Financial Group Inc.(“HFG”) at the Board of Directors’ meeting held on July 22, 2022. In accordance with the resolution, as of July 27, 2022, the Company disposed of its entire common shares of HanaCard Co., Ltd. (39,902,323 shares) and entire common shares of Finnq Co., Ltd. (6,370,000 shares) to HFG for W330,032 million and W5,733 million, respectively. Through the agreement with HFG, the Company is obligated to acquire HFG’s common shares from July 27, 2022 to January 31, 2024, after depositing W330,032 million in a specific money trust, and the Company completed the acquisition of the shares for the year ended December 31, 2022. As a part of the aforementioned transaction, as of July 27, 2022, the Company disposed of its entire common shares of SK Square Co., Ltd. (767,011 shares) to HanaCard Co., Ltd. for W31,563 million, and HanaCard Co., Ltd. is obligated to acquire the Company’s common shares from July 27, 2022 to January 31, 2024, after depositing W68,437 million in a specific money trust, and completed the acquisition of the shares for the year ended December 31, 2022., The Company, HFG, and HanaCard Co., Ltd. may not dispose of shares they have acquired under the aforementioned transaction until March 31, 2025.

 

  (5)

The acquisition cost of property and equipment and intangible assets to be incurred in subsequent periods under arrangements is W39,459 million as of December 31, 2023.

 

  (6)

According to the covenant for bond issuance and borrowings, the Company is required to maintain specific financial ratios, such as the debt ratio, at certain levels. The funds obtained must be used for specified purposes only, and regular reporting to lenders is mandated. Additionally, the contracts include clauses that restrict both provision of additional collateral of assets held by the Company and disposal of certain assets.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

38.

Statements of Cash Flows

 

  (1)

Adjustments for income and expenses from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     2023      2022  

Gain on foreign currency translations

   W (300      (345

Interest income

     (36,937      (34,124

Dividends

     (209,195      (50,927

Gain relating to financial instruments at FVTPL

     (87,199      (40,581

Gain on disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets

     (20,825      (14,073

Gain on sale of accounts receivable – other

     —         (1,043

Loss on foreign currency translations

     660        961  

Bad debt for accounts receivable – trade

     28,765        16,053  

Bad debt for accounts receivable – other

     4,349        2,071  

Loss relating to financial instruments at FVTPL

     41,819        27,635  

Gain (loss) relating to investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     19,012        (61,603

Depreciation and amortization

     2,833,327        2,827,617  

Loss on disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets

     3,929        5,722  

Loss on sale of accounts receivable – other

     65,027        61,841  

Interest expense

     325,769        287,865  

Expense related to defined benefit plan

     55,298        50,795  

Bonus paid by treasury shares

     20,420        25,425  

Share option

     7,051        76,314  

Income tax expense

     295,189        276,760  

Other income (expenses)

     (11,965      13,806  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 3,334,194        3,470,169  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

38.

Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

 

  (2)

Changes in assets and liabilities from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     2023      2022  

Accounts receivable – trade

   W (99,070      71,720  

Accounts receivable – other

     78,157        30,679  

Advanced payments

     9,089        (31,394

Prepaid expenses

     66,413        4,432  

Inventories

     (4,741      (14,392

Long-term accounts receivable – other

     60,799        (95,028

Long-term prepaid expenses

     —         12,990  

Guarantee deposits

     (3,781      5,983  

Contract assets

     11,486        (3,622

Accounts payable – other

     (225,677      290,890  

Withholdings

     4,802        (3,388

Deposits received

     4,806        (4,149

Accrued expenses

     33,086        37,239  

Plan assets

     (13,876      (59,665

Retirement benefits payment

     (38,347      (28,932

Contract liabilities

     (29,187      4,340  

Others

     (2,333      (2,845
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W (148,374      214,858  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (3)

Significant non-cash transactions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)       
     2023      2022  

Decrease in accounts payable – other relating to the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets

   W (314,811      (29,247

Increase of right-of-use assets

     253,838        410,640  

Transfer from property and equipment to investment property

     6,264        16,673  

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

38.

Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

 

  (4)

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

(In millions of won)  
     2023  
                   Non-cash transactions         
     January 1, 2023      Cash flows      Exchange
rate
changes(*)
     Fair value
changes
     Other
changes
     December 31,
2023
 

Total liabilities from financing activities:

                 

Short-term borrowings

   W 100,000        (100,000      —         —         —         —   

Long-term borrowings

     740,000        (100,000      —         —         —         640,000  

Debentures

     6,988,970        (367,815      15,412        —         30,372        6,666,939  

Lease liabilities

     1,379,311        (354,235      —         —         201,469        1,226,545  

Long-term payables – other

     1,638,341        (400,245      —         —         22,357        1,260,453  

Derivative financial assets

     (222,622      126,000        —         (19,588      —         (116,210
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 10,624,000        (1,196,295      15,412        (19,588      254,198        9,677,727  

Other cash flows from financing activities:

 

Payments of cash dividends

      W (723,215            

Payments of interest on hybrid bonds

        (17,283            

Acquisition of treasury shares

        (285,487            

Proceeds of hybrid bonds

        398,509              

Repayments of hybrid bonds

        (400,000            
     

 

 

             
        (1,027,476            
     

 

 

             
      W (2,223,771            
     

 

 

             

 

(*)

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates for financial liabilities at amortized cost.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

38.

Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

 

  (4)

Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows, Continued:

 

(In millions of won)  
     2022  
                 Non-cash transactions         
     January 1, 2022     Cash flows     Exchange
rate
changes(*)
     Fair value
changes
    Other
changes
     December 31,
2022
 

Total liabilities from financing activities:

              

Short-term borrowings

   W —        100,000       —         —        —         100,000  

Long-term borrowings

     306,728       432,904       —         —        368        740,000  

Debentures

     6,804,867       80,820       97,850        —        5,433        6,988,970  

Lease liabilities

     1,362,095       (344,199     —         —        361,415        1,379,311  

Long-term payables – other

     2,009,833       (400,245     —         —        28,753        1,638,341  

Derivative financial assets

     (152,512     768       —         (70,878     —         (222,622
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 10,331,011       (129,952     97,850        (70,878     395,969        10,624,000  

Other cash flows from financing activities:

 

Payments of cash dividends

     W (904,020          

Payments of interest on hybrid bonds

       (14,766          
    

 

 

           
       (918,786          
    

 

 

           
     W (1,048,738          
    

 

 

           

 

(*)

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates for financial liabilities at amortized cost.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

39.

Emissions Liabilities

 

  (1)

The quantity of emissions rights allocated free of charge for each implementation year as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

(In tCO2-eQ)  
     Quantities
allocated in 2021
     Quantities
allocated in 2022
     Quantities
allocated in 2023
     Quantities
allocated in 2024
     Quantities
allocated in 2025
     Total  

Emissions rights allocated free of charge(*)

     1,031,526        1,223,008        1,031,526        1,021,864        1,021,864        5,329,788  

 

(*)

The changes in quantity due to additional allocation, cancellation of allocation and others are considered.

 

  (2)

Changes in emissions rights quantities the Company held are as follows:

 

(In tCO2-eQ)  
     Quantities
allocated in 2021
     Quantities
allocated in 2022
     Quantities
allocated in 2023
     Total  

Beginning

     —         —         306,575        306,575  

Allocation at no cost

     1,031,526        1,223,008        1,031,526        3,286,060  

Purchase

     —         204,761        —         204,761  

Surrendered or shall be surrendered

     (1,051,380      (1,121,194      (1,227,222      (3,399,796

Borrowed

     19,854        —         —         19,854  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

     —         306,575        110,879        417,454  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (3)

As of December 31, 2023, the estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions quantities of the Company are 1,227,222 tCO2-eQ.

 

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SK TELECOM CO., LTD.

Notes to the Separate Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

40.

Subsequent Events

 

  (1)

On January 25, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the disposal of treasury shares and the details of the transaction are as follows:

 

        

Information of disposal

  Number of treasury shares    498,135 Common shares
  Price of the treasury shares (in won)    Per share W49,600
  Aggregate disposal value    W24,707 million
  Disposal date    January 29, 2024
  Purpose of disposal    Allotment of shares as bonus payment
  Method of disposal    Over-the-counter

 

  (2)

The Board of Directors of the Company approved the acquisition and retirement of treasury shares of the Company at the Board of Directors’ meeting held on July 26, 2023. The Company acquired a total of 6,090,410 shares during the period from July 27, 2023 to January 26, 2024 through a trust agreement and 4,043,091 shares were retired on February 5, 2024.

 

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Audit opinion on internal control over financial reporting

The accompanying independent auditor’s report on internal control over financial reporting is attached as a result of auditing the internal control over financial reporting of SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) and the separate financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 in accordance with the Article 8 of the Act on External Audit of Stock Companies.

Attachments:

 

  1.

Independent auditor’s report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

  2.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

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Table of Contents

Independent auditor’s report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

(Based on a report originally issued in Korean)

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.:

The Shareholders and Board of Directors

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) of SK Telecom Co., Ltd.’s (the “Company”) based on the Conceptual Framework for Designing and Operating ICFR (“ICFR Design and Operation Framework”) established by the Operating Committee of ICFR in Korea (the “ICFR Committee”) as of December 31, 2023.

In our opinion, the Company’s ICFR has been effectively designed and operated, in all material respects, as of December 31, 2023, in accordance with the ICFR Design and Operation Framework.

We also have audited, in accordance with Korean Standards on Auditing (“KSA”), the separate statement of financial position as of December 31, 2023, the separate statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the separate financial statements, including a summary of material accounting policies, of the Company, and our report dated March 6, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion on ICFR

We conducted our audit in accordance with KSA. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of ICFR section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of ICFR in the Republic of Korea, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for ICFR

Management is responsible for designing, operating, and maintaining effective ICFR, and for its assessing the effectiveness of ICFR, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s ICFR process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of ICFR

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s ICFR based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with KSA. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective ICFR was maintained in all material respects.

An audit of ICFR involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence as to whether a material weakness exists. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks that a material weakness exists An audit also includes testing and evaluating the design and operation of ICFR based on obtaining an understanding of ICFR and the assessed risk.

 

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ICFR definition and Inherent Limitations

A company’s ICFR is implemented by those charged with governance, management, and other employees and is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the Republic of Korea (“KIFRS”). A company’s ICFR includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with KIFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, ICFR may not prevent, or detect misstatements of the financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that ICFR may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Yoo, Jung Ho.

 

LOGO

March 6, 2024

 

This report is effective as of March 6, 2024, the independent auditor’s report date. Accordingly, certain material subsequent events or circumstances may have occurred during the period from the auditor’s report date to the time this report is used. Such events and circumstances could significantly affect the Company’s ICFR and may result in modifications to this report.

 

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

English translation of a Report Originally Issued in Korean

To Shareholders, the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of

SK Telecom Co., Ltd.

We, as the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Internal Control over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”) Officer of SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (“the Company”), assessed the status of the design and operation of the Company’s ICFR for the year ending December 31, 2023.

The Company’s management including the CEO and ICFR Officer is responsible for designing and operating ICFR. We, as the CEO and ICFR Officer (collectively, “We”, “Our” or “Us”), evaluated whether the ICFR has been appropriately designed and is effectively operating to prevent and detect error or fraud which may cause material misstatement of the financial statements to ensure preparation and disclosure of reliable financial information.

We used the ‘Conceptual Framework for Designing and Operating Internal Control over Financial Reporting’ established by the Operating Committee of Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Korea (the “ICFR Committee”)’ as the criteria for design and operation of the Company’s ICFR. We also conducted an evaluation of ICFR based on the ‘Management Guideline for Evaluating and Reporting Effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting’ established by the ICFR Committee.

Based on our assessment of ICFR operation, we concluded that the Company’s ICFR has been appropriately designed and is operating effectively in all material respects as of December 31, 2023, in accordance with the ‘Conceptual Framework for Designing and Operating Internal Control over Financial Reporting’.

We certify that this report does not contain any untrue statement of a fact, or omit to state a fact necessary to be presented herein. We also certify that this report does not contain or present any statements which might cause material misunderstandings of the readers, and we have reviewed and verified this report with sufficient care.

February 20, 2024

 

/s/ Kim, Yang Seob
Internal Control over Financial Reporting Officer
/s/ Ryu, Young Sang
Chief Executive Officer

 

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