Department profile

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : South Korea

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Kim & Chang

Kim & Chang is one of the leading international arbitration firms in the world. Our arbitration practice and individual lawyers are consistently ranked as top tier by numerous leading publications, including Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

Kim & Chang’s International Arbitration & Cross-Border Litigation Practice brings to each representation extensive expertise and experience. Our leading standing in the market is reflected in our numerous successful representations and our involvement in the majority of high-profile, high-value, complex international arbitrations relating to Korea. Our 100+ international disputes professionals have expertise in numerous industries - including financial services, energy, power, off-shore construction, pharmaceutics, technology, retail and manufacturing - and have successfully handled high-stake disputes fields, most notably high value cross-border mergers and acquisitions, international investment, trade and commerce, construction, shipbuilding, business management, intellectual property, product liability, and joint venture/shareholder disputes. We advise our clients in all stages of the dispute resolution process to achieve successful results in any legal environment and under any procedural rules.

Key Services:

Pre-Disputes Counseling and Preemptive Measures
International Arbitration
Settlement Assistance and Post-Award Actions
Cross-border Litigation

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - South Korea

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Kim & Chang is renowned for its arbitration team, which acts as a trusted adviser to a number of major multinationals. It receives consistent praise from Korean and international commentators for the depth of its bench and its long-established knowledge of a range of institutional rules. The team draws on support from the firm's Hong Kong office to advise on Hong Kong-seated arbitrations and China-related matters, with additional experience assisting clients in the construction, energy and maritime sectors. The firm also represents global corporations in post-M&A disputes and acts for both Korean and international clients, drawing on the skills of team members with extensive regional, European and US experience. Kim & Chang also fields on-the-ground teams in Singapore and Vietnam.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Kim & Chang continues to represent Schindler in a USD300 million investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Korea.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

From senior lawyers to junior lawyers, everyone worked hard and actively responded to the case.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
The Kim & Chang team is large and the depth of its players deep.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
Byung-Chol (B.C.) YOON
Yoon Byung Chol leads the Kim & Chang international arbitration practice and retains his reputation as an esteemed and highly experienced practitioner in the market. His experience spans cases in relation to M&A transactions, energy and construction projects, and cross-border investments.
Yoon Byung Chol has a lot of experience and is very helpful.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 1
Band 1
Matthew J. Christensen
Matthew Christensen maintains a market-leading practice in international arbitration and offers significant experience acting before a number of arbitral institutions. He manages an impressive portfolio of public and private sector clients and offers particular expertise in construction disputes.
Matthew is very thoughtful on economic issues and is a great legal researcher.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 1
Band 1
Sae Youn KIM
Kim Sae Youn is a highly regarded lawyer who draws on her experience serving as a judge in several district courts to act for a range of public and private sector entities in cross-border arbitration cases. Noted for her representation in ICC and SIAC arbitrations, she is highly sought after for her expertise in handling commercial disputes, frequently acting on behalf of parties from the biotechnology, financial services and manufacturing sectors.
Kim Sae Youn is very quick and is great at strategy - she can see the big picture.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
She is very experienced and pragmatic.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 2
Band 2
Byung-Woo Im
Im Byung-Woo focuses closely on disputes arising in the construction and infrastructure sectors. He is well-versed in handling matters for clients with projects and businesses based across a range of Middle Eastern and Asian jurisdictions.
Byung-Woo is one of the best lawyers in the field - he is a credible lawyer I would recommend.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 2
Band 2
Joel E. Richardson
Joel Richardson maintains an active practice representing clients in arbitration cases brought under ICC, KCAB and SIAC rules. His experience covers acting in both commercial and investor-state arbitrations.
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Band 3
Band 3
Chul-Won LEE
Lee Chul-Won has particular expertise in undertaking ICC and SIAC arbitrations. He regularly advises on disputes arising from supply contracts and shareholder agreements. His clientele includes international corporates in the shipping and construction industries, and private equity firms.
Lee Chul-Won is great with clients and will be the first one we turn to.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 3
Band 3
Hyungkeun Lee
Lee Hyungkeun ably handles international arbitrations, representing both Korean and global financial institutions.
When a client has a difficult Korean law issue, he is the person we can rely on to think deeply on the matter. He is thoughtful and reliable.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 3
Band 3
Una Cho
Cho Una offers substantial experience in representing both domestic and international clients in commercial disputes including SIAC, HKIAC and ICC arbitrations.
Cho Una demonstrates good dispute resolution skills in negotiations with the other party. She is able to draw out complex issues and respond positively to the other party.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Hye Sung Kim
Kim Hye Sung is a rising star at Kim & Chang who regularly acts on clients' cross-border arbitration mandates. Her recent work includes representing Korean corporates and banks in ICC and HKIAC arbitrations.
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Sup Joon Byun
Byun Sup Joon is recognised for his experience in disputes arising out of commercial agreements and investments.
He has excellent advocacy skills and always puts clients' interests at the forefront.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
Byun Sup Joon thinks strategically from the client's point of view and is always very helpful and responsive.
Dispute Resolution: Arbitration respondentAsia-Pacific
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