Employment
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 772 4000About
Provided by Lee & Ko
The core of our Labor & Employment Practice Group is composed of over 30 attorneys who dedicate their practices to the employment and labor practice area. Our members include attorneys with more than 20 years of experience, certified labor consultants, former prosecutors and presiding judges, former judiciary researchers for the Korean Supreme Court, public committee members, Labor Relations Commission committee chairpersons, and former senior members of the Ministry of Employment & Labor. This rich range of experience and diversity, fueled by the effective collaboration between our members, results in a Practice Group with a collective strength that is even stronger than its parts, and this strength is transferred to our clients.
Our Practice Group’s expertise covers issues including: (1) wages/working hours, disciplinary actions, employee privacy and safety; (2) hiring structures, non-regular employees management, strategic implementation of reduction-in-force efforts; (3) strategic and legal advice on union relations and disputes, collective agreement negotiations; (4) general compliance audits and internal investigations; (5) representation in civil, criminal, and administrative matters; and (6) employment-related issues in mergers, spin-offs, and business transfers.
We are trusted advisors and a pillar of legal support for our clients so that they may focus on enhancing their business operations in a stable and sustainable labor-management environment.
Chambers Review
Lee & Ko houses an outstanding employment law offering in South Korea and is recognised for its expertise in a variety of contentious and non-contentious issues, including collective bargaining and strikes, employee status, non-compete issues and workforce reduction. Its client base hails from a range of industries from technology and retail to automotive and manufacturing.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko represented LG Chemicals in a complex case concerning fixed-term contract renewal.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Lee & Ko consistently demonstrates the capability to navigate and resolve complex legal issues with a high level of competence and professionalism."
"They are an excellent team with expertise in both litigation and advisory services."
"Lee & Ko consistently demonstrates the capability to navigate and resolve complex legal issues with a high level of competence and professionalism."
"They are an excellent team with expertise in both litigation and advisory services."
Notable Practitioners
Lee Sang Hoon is a well-established employment lawyer in Seoul. He has over 25 years of experience in practice and remains active on a range of matters, including non-compete issues and investigations.
Jin Chang Soo in Seoul is active on employment matters including disputes involving terminations, worker dispatch and outsourcing. He is also known to have significant experience from his time as a judge.
"Jin Chang Soo, with his experience as a judge, achieves the best results even in complex litigation."
"Jin Chang Soo's commercial vision is of great help when objectively analysing complex situations and issues to determine risk."
Song Hyunseok is well regarded in the Korean employment legal market, with particular experience advising on Serious Accident Punishment Act and outsourced worker-related disputes.
"Song Hyunseok, as a labour law expert, provides accurate and prompt opinions from a balanced perspective."
"He has a very high level of expertise in labour and a good understanding of clients."
William Kim is a foreign attorney based in Seoul with strong employment expertise. He is especially involved in internal investigations, compliance, non-compete and workforce restructuring matters.
"William Kim's ability to navigate complex legal issues with precision and his commitment to achieving the best possible outcome are truly impressive."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko
Jae-Hoon Choi
Ji-Young Tae
Seung-Wan Hahm