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Asia-Pacific Guide 2023
South Korea Employment
1
Band 1

4 Ranked Lawyers

About

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

Provided by Chambers
Employment - South Korea
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

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. Its key clients include GSK and Korea Electric Power Corporation and Hilti Corporation.

Work Highlights

Provided by Lee & Ko
  • Lee & Ko represented Sampyo Group in a case arising from the Serious Accident Punishment Act. Its lawyers defended the CEO and other senior management from potential heavy criminal penalties after a landslide in one of the client's quarries claimed the lives of three employees.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Chang Soo Jin
N
Chang Soo Jin
1
Band 1

Jin Chang Soo in Seoul is highly 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.

"In terms of legal knowledge he's one of the very best."

Sang Hoon Lee
N
Sang Hoon Lee
2
Band 2

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.

Hyun Seok Song
N
Hyun Seok Song
2
Band 2

Song Hyun Seok is well regarded in the Korean employment legal market, with particular experience advising on outsourced worker disputes.

"When I ask for advice on complex issues, he always replies quickly, so I know I can trust him when an important issue occurs."

"He is very loyal to his clients. He is always ready to interact with clients and enjoys the opportunity to talk with them."

William Woojong Kim
N
William Woojong Kim
U
Up and Coming

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.

"An excellent lawyer. He knows his stuff inside out and provides a timely responsive service. If you have employment queries for South Korea, he is your man."

Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko

Provided by Chambers
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Band

South Korea

Employment

Chang Soo Jin
1
Chang Soo Jin
1
Band 1
Hyun Seok Song
2
Hyun Seok Song
2
Band 2
Sang Hoon Lee
2
Sang Hoon Lee
2
Band 2
William Woojong Kim
U
William Woojong Kim
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Lee & Ko

Jae-Hoon Choi

Ji-Young Tae

Seung-Wan Hahm