International Trade
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 772 4000About
Provided by Lee & Ko
Continuously top-ranked by global survey institutions, Lee & Ko International Trade Practice Group is the largest team in Korea dedicated for trade and customs matters. Its members include former ministers, WTO ambassador, former commissioners of Korea Trade Commission (KTC) and Korea Customs Service.
Lee & Ko’s renowned practices include litigation before international tribunals. In Korea, the Group has the largest case experiences before the WTO and has recently represented a client in its first FTA dispute. It also advises various trade policy issues.
The Group boasts the largest trade remedy team among Korean law firms, assisting clients on the investigation for ADP, CVD, and safeguard measures. Over 20 years, it has advised Korean exporters before foreign investigating authorities. The team has also advised Korean petitioners and foreign exporters before KTC.
The customs team, comprised of the most renowned experts in customs law, provides a comprehensive set of services in all areas of customs law, e.g., customs valuation, tariff classification, FTAs, etc.
Clients praise the Group for its strategic response to the unprecedented changes in global business environment. Recently, a sovereign client chose Lee & Ko for its important international campaign to get the Group’s hands-on experiences that others do not have. As the market leader in Korea, the Group competes with global firms.
Chambers Review
Lee & Ko has a leading team in the Korean market, advising clients on the gamut of international trade legal matters. The firm possesses notable expertise across customs, free trade agreements, trade remedies, anti-dumping and export control. It is retained by local and international companies on trade-related compliance issues and investment disputes. The team also regularly represents government bodies in relation to WTO dispute proceedings and Dispute Settlement Understanding review negotiations.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko conducted a thorough assessment of Korea’s ability to implement the Pillar IV Agreementfor the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Partners and others have experience working in the government and are well versed in the flow of international trade policy."
"They are very responsive and provide speedy services tailored to the respective needs of the matter."
"Partners and others have experience working in the government and are well versed in the flow of international trade policy."
"They are very responsive and provide speedy services tailored to the respective needs of the matter."
Notable Practitioners
Chung Kichang co-heads Lee & Ko's international trade group in South Korea and is predominantly known for his advice on WTO disputes and trade policy. He ably advises corporate clients on sanctions and also often represents government entities.
"In the field of international trade disputes, I believe that he has the most practical experience and the most outstanding expertise in Korea."
"He is a rare lawyer who can provide useful legal/policy advice to companies based on his expertise and policy experience in the field of international trade."
Park Young Gee has a strong background of representing clients in customs work, including origin verification and transfer pricing matters. He is active on investigations initiated by the Korea Customs Service.
Cho Young Jae co-heads Lee & Ko's international trade practice in South Korea and counts financial institutions, government ministries and international companies among his clientele. He advises clients across a range of subjects in the space, including trade cooperation, foreign investment, anti-dumping, export control, and WTO disputes and agreements.
Joo Hyunsoo is recognised for her experience advising public and private entities on WTO disputes, FTA negotiations and trade remedy mandates in the Korean market. She is particularly well versed in matters relating to the manufacturing and energy industries.
"She has a lot of professional knowledge."
Kim Hyesoo is deemed a rising star in the international trade sphere. She has experience assisting the Korean government and domestic corporations with WTO disputes and cases concerning violation of sanctions and export controls. She is also equipped to advise on trade-related policy matters.
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko