The chief of SK Group on Monday asked the heads of the group's key affiliates to bolster investment, taking his first official step after returning to the throne of South Korea's No. 3 family-controlled conglomerate.

Chairman Chey Tae-won had been serving a jail sentence since 2013 for embezzlement, but he was freed from prison last week in a special presidential pardon marking Liberation Day, which was carried out in line with government efforts to revitalize the slowing economy.

He presided over an extended management meeting earlier in the day with the chief executives from 17 units to discuss measures the group can take in line with the government's efforts aimed at reviving the slowing economy. SK Group's flagship affiliates include chip giant SK hynix Inc., top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co. and oil refiner SK Innovation Co.

Chey asked the heads to bolster investment and create jobs for the younger generation, since an aggressive investment plan is necessary to overcome a management crisis and revitalize the economy, SK Group said in a statement.

"We need to take an innovative and creative approach in order to do that. I hope to see investment plans for energy, chemicals and IT sectors drawn up at the earliest date possible."

The meeting was apparently focused on an envisioned investment plan worth 46 trillion won for the group's semiconductor business.

"I came to learn that contributing to economic growth is one of our most important obligations... I'm ready to suffer hardships in this difficult environment and am asking everyone to stand together to move forward," he added.

Sources said Chey plans to attend the opening ceremony of SK hynix Inc.'s new production line in Icheon, about 80 kilometers southeast of Seoul, later this month, and unveil a detailed investment plan for the chipmaking affiliate.

He is also considering visiting the headquarters of Saudi Basic Industries Corp., one of the world's largest petrochemicals groups in Saudi Arabia, they said. SK Global Chemical Co. and SABIC earlier agreed to establish a joint venture in Singapore to target the global polyethylene market in July.

While Chey also visited a hospital for a check-up earlier on Monday, the sources said he has shown no significant health problems other than problems in his spine. (Yonhap)