Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : South Korea
Ranked Individuals
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.
Provided by Chambers
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.
Provided by Chambers
Lee & Ko represented DB Insurance and overturned a district court ruling in relation to a claim brought by an individual hired under an independent contractor agreement who later claimed employee status under the Labour Standards Act and sought severance pay.
Provided by Chambers
They have consistently demonstrated a customer-friendly attitude. There is a strong will to meet the needs of the client.
Lee & Ko shares professional support and timely legal response processes to meet customer needs.
Provided by Chambers
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 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.
Despite being senior in age and experience, he consistently works hard on practical tasks. He excels in skill and diligence.
As a former judge, he is able to provide balanced advice.
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.
Hyunseok provides high-quality advice with a high level of understanding of the company.
He has outstanding expertise and experience.
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 is extremely proactive and has an excellent client reputation.
Employment
Employment
Employment
Employment
Provided by Lee & Ko
Seung-Wan Hahm
Ji-Young Tae
Jae-Hoon Choi
Chang Soo Jin
View profile of Chang Soo JinWilliam Woojong Kim
View profile of William Woojong KimSang Hoon Lee
View profile of Sang Hoon LeeHyunseok Song
View profile of Hyunseok Song
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