About
Provided by Lee & Ko
Lee & Ko’s Tax Practice Group provides our valued clients with a full range of services in all areas of Korean tax law, including corporate and individual income tax, VAT, international tax, inheritance & gift tax, and local taxes. Some of the key industry sectors that we serve include Real Estate & Construction, TMT/Technology & Software, Ship Building, Insurance, Banking & Financial Services, and Infrastructure.
Our Tax Practice Group provides our clients with timely, effective, and practical solutions for their most complex tax challenges, including tax audit defense, tax appeal and litigation. We have a distinguished track record of successfully handling the most leading tax issues for our clients, including recent cases involving beneficial ownership under international tax treaties and real estate transfer taxes. Our Tax Practice Group is also renowned for our expertise in tax consulting and advisory services, including transfer pricing, M&A transactions, inbound and outbound structuring, tax rulings, and legislative consulting.
Our Practice Group consists of the finest tax professionals, including Korean and foreign attorneys, CPAs, and former senior government officials. We have over 90 tax professionals and include experts who previously worked as Korean Supreme Court Tax Research Judges, Tax Tribunal judges, ex-NTS officers, as well as international tax lawyers and other specialists, many with extensive experience at top-tier law firms and accounting firms.
Chambers Review
Lee & Ko is an established law firm in South Korea with a strong tax practice providing services across the spectrum of tax matters, including in the areas of tax consulting, tax litigation, cross-border taxation and audit defence. The team is also experienced in tax issues relating to M&A and real estate. Its veteran specialised team includes both domestic and foreign practitioners and former government officials and judges. Tax disputes are a particular strength, as is handling cases relating to tax deductions, acquisition tax and VAT. The team also advises on cross-border tax planning, including expertise in transfer pricing. Its key clients include Microsoft, Seoul Metropolitan City and Mastercard.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko advised US biotech firm Biogen on its sale of a 49% stake in Samsung Bioepis. This has involved making a submission on Biogen's behalf concerning Securities Transaction Tax and also negotiating the purchaser's agreement not to withhold capital gains tax on the sale.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have superior logical and rational problem-solving skills, and can perform a given task well with in-depth knowledge and diverse experience."
"When dealing with tax matters, some other firms are more concerned with being right than the best outcome. We were seeking the best outcome and they understood this."
"They have superior logical and rational problem-solving skills, and can perform a given task well with in-depth knowledge and diverse experience."
"When dealing with tax matters, some other firms are more concerned with being right than the best outcome. We were seeking the best outcome and they understood this."
Notable Practitioners
Jay Shim is involved in tax litigation and transactional work in South Korea. His expertise includes matters relating to withholding tax.
Son Byeong Jun is a former judge. His work often covers Korean tax disputes, including in relation to VAT.
Kim Kyung Tae is an active partner at Lee & Ko, particularly noted for his assistance in tax litigation. He has experience of advising on corporate income tax, VAT, and tax ruling applications.
"He provides practical assistance based on a high level of understanding of practical issues."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko
In Su Lee
Head of Department
Kyung Tae Kim
Ok Hyun Ma
Head of Department
Soon Nam Jang
Sung Hwan Kim
Tae Bok Cho
Tom Kwon
Yeon Ho Chang
Young Uk Park
Clients
Provided by Lee & Ko
ADT Caps
Intellectual Ventures
LG International
Lotte Property & Development
Mastercard
Microsoft
SK Telecom
Saint Gobain
Shinsegae
Industries
Provided by Lee & Ko
Banking & Financial Services
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Infrastructure
Insurance
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Real Estate & Construction
Ship Building
TMT/Technology & Software