SK Group Warns DRAM Shortage Could Last Until 2030

SK Hynix plans to maintain consumer DRAM business alongside HBM, focusing on manufacturing in South Korea

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:33am

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SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has predicted that the DRAM memory shortage and crisis will "persist" through 2030 due to limited wafer capacity and long production lead times. SK Hynix plans to unveil new measures to stabilize DRAM prices, while maintaining its consumer DRAM business alongside the lucrative HBM market, and focusing its manufacturing efforts in South Korea.

Why it matters

The ongoing DRAM shortage has had significant impacts on the consumer tech market, affecting the availability and pricing of products like smartphones and PCs. SK Hynix's position as a major DRAM supplier means its plans to address the shortage will be closely watched by the industry.

The details

Chey Tae-won cited the lack of wafer capacity and the lengthy 4-5 year lead time required to secure additional wafers as the primary reasons for the persistent DRAM shortage. While SK Hynix is a dominant player in the HBM market for data centers and AI GPUs, the company plans to maintain its consumer DRAM business to avoid adversely affecting the broader consumer tech market. SK Hynix will focus its manufacturing efforts in South Korea, where it says the existing infrastructure allows for a faster response, rather than expanding overseas.

  • The DRAM shortage is expected to persist through 2030.

The players

SK Group

A South Korean conglomerate that owns semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix.

Chey Tae-won

The chairman of SK Group, who made the prediction about the DRAM shortage lasting until 2030.

SK Hynix

A semiconductor manufacturer and a subsidiary of SK Group, which is one of the dominant players in the HBM (high-bandwidth memory) market for data centers and AI-focused GPUs.

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What they’re saying

“The shortage stems from a lack of wafer capacity, and securing additional wafers takes at least four to five years.”

— Chey Tae-won, SK Group Chairman

“We expect the industry-wide supply shortfall to persist at over 20 percent through 2030.”

— Chey Tae-won, SK Group Chairman

What’s next

SK Hynix plans to unveil new measures in the "near future" to stabilize DRAM prices across its entire portfolio.

The takeaway

The ongoing DRAM shortage and memory crisis is expected to continue for several more years, with SK Hynix focusing on maintaining its consumer DRAM business while also addressing the lucrative HBM market, and concentrating its manufacturing efforts in South Korea to respond more quickly to the supply challenges.