Department profile
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

Tax: Consultants

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : South Korea


Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

Rankings

About

Provided by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

BKL’s Tax Practice Group is well-recognized in Korea for its advisory work in all aspects of tax practice including planning and resolution of issues related to financial products, securities, M&A and cross-border transactions. Our tax team is comprised of attorneys and accountants who have advised a wide range of clients on all their most challenging and innovative transactions. They also have significant experience in providing tax planning and consulting services to foreign corporations and financial institutions facing tax issues specific to foreign entities.

For over twenty years, we have been forming tightly integrated teams with members of other practice groups to seamlessly address all the business concerns of clients in addition to tax issues when completing complex transactions. Since tax issues are rarely isolated from other legal issues arising out of our client’s transactions, the expertise and resources of our firm’s other practice groups allow our clients to receive the most cost-efficient and responsive service possible. 

BKL’s tax team has an established history of success in representing clients in administrative, pretrial and court proceedings to dispute national and local tax impositions. As with the tax team’s work on transactional matters, the tax team works closely with the firm’s litigation group to utilize the expertise of both experienced tax lawyers and reputable litigators.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax: Consultants - South Korea


What the Team is Known For

Bae, Kim & Lee is a well-respected law firm in South Korea, regularly acting on both contentious and non-contentious tax matters, including tax audits, litigation and criminal matters. It boasts an impressive track record of representing clients in tax disputes at the Tax Tribunal and has noted strength in handling appeals. The team has notable expertise in transfer pricing matters, including advance pricing agreements and mutual agreements. It counts leading multinationals and Korean enterprises among its clients. Its lawyers work in conjunction with the firm's white-collar crime and corporate groups to provide a full-service offering.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bae, Kim & Lee successfully represented Korea Environment Corporation in securing a KRW80 billion VAT refund in a claim hinging on whether a business qualifies as being operated "at actual cost" in the absence of clear standards for such assessment under Korean VAT law.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The greatest strength of its team lies in its ability to accurately interpret legal principles on complex tax issues and strategic ability to apply them to practical matters.

    Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
  • The team is customer-centric, with personalised service and high reliability based on expertise and experience.

    Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleKyung Geun Lee
    Senior StatespeopleKyung Geun Lee

    Kyung Geun Lee

    Lee Kyung Geun enjoys a tremendous reputation in South Korea's tax space. He is known for his specialisation in international taxation, including for clients involved in M&A and inbound investments.

  • Band 2Seung-Wan Chae
    Band 2Seung-Wan Chae

    Seung-Wan Chae

    Chae Seung-Wan is particularly active advising on tax matters in the Korean market, including those relating to investments, fund establishment, and M&A transactions. He also advises on tax refund requests.

    • Drawing on his extensive practical experience and deep understanding, he offers comprehensive and wide-ranging advice.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He is highly technical on tax matters and very skilled at issue spotting. He communicates well with the international tax team and helps them understand the issues clearly.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Tae Kyoon Kim
    Band 2Tae Kyoon Kim

    Tae Kyoon Kim

    Kim Tae Kyoon is a notable name in South Korea's tax space, often advising clients on APA applications and corporate tax matters.

    • He has a deep understanding of his clients and an unparalleled ability to resolve issues and provide solutions.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Cheolhyung Yu
    Band 3Cheolhyung Yu

    Cheolhyung Yu

    Yu Cheolhyung represents Korean and international clients in disputes and administrative tax matters, including requests for refunds of withholding tax. His clientele includes entities in the financial services sector and technology companies.

    • He consistently delivers insights tailored to our regulatory profile, reflecting both attentiveness and a deep understanding of our business.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He provides flexible, smooth, professional and reasonable service. He excels at communicating with clients and meeting their needs. His calm, gentle and reasonable nature is valued by clients.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Hakrae Cho
    Band 3Hakrae Cho

    Hakrae Cho

    Cho Hakrae regularly advises on tax issues related to inbound investments and M&A. His clients include private equity firms, telecommunications companies and real estate companies.

    • Cho Hakrae responds kindly and provides accurate answers in urgent situations.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
    • What I appreciated was that he starts by grasping the business structure before providing his opinion on any issue. He also consistently meets deadlines.

      Tax: Consultants respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Seog Kyoo Kang
    Band 3Seog Kyoo Kang

    Seog Kyoo Kang

    Kang Seog Kyoo has considerable expertise undertaking various tax litigation cases concerning corporate tax and VAT issues, thanks to his extensive experience in the judiciary. He advises Korean and foreign entities.

Ranked Individuals at Bae, Kim & Lee LLC (6)

South Korea

Members

Provided by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership