Energy & Natural Resources: International
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 2
Contact number
+82 2 6320 1000About
Provided by Linklaters
Linklaters has been active in Korea for over 30 years, advising the leading Korean corporations, financial institutions and law firms. From our office in Seoul, we are able to leverage our highly integrated international capabilities to provide clients operating in Korea with exceptionally high quality service. We have a senior team of projects, energy and infrastructure experts leading the execution of large-scale mandates. Our on-the-ground dedicated projects, energy and infrastructure team led by projects and energy specialist Stephen Le Vesconte offers genuine world class projects and project finance capability in Seoul. We advise a mix of Korean ECAs and commercial banks, Korean sponsors, international lenders and international sponsors on some of the most complex and strategically important transactions in Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, the US and the Middle East. In particular we are regularly trusted by Korean export credit agencies (ECAs) and sponsors with their most important, strategic and challenging transactions. Our success in winning and advising on the most significant and challenging deals in the market is made possible by the quality and integrated nature of our well coordinated regional and global sector teams.
Chambers Review
The Linklaters team remains one of the most highly regarded in this field. Much sought after for its renowned project finance offering, it typically advises consortiums of major international and Korean lenders on energy and infrastructure projects around the globe, and also regularly assists Korean sponsor clients. The law firm has considerable expertise in oil and gas and power mandates in particular, advising on such matters as concession agreements, the market entry of renewable energy clients and the acquisition of energy assets. The team is further noted for its representation of Korean export credit agencies.
Work Highlights
- Linklaters advised BlackRock Alternatives on its acquisition of a 30% stake in AirFirst and joint venture arrangements with the existing sole shareholder IMM Private Equity.
- The team acted for lenders, including KEXIM and K-SURE, on the financing of the Naphtha Cracker Project in Banten, Indonesia, sponsored by Lotte Chemical and Lotte Chemical Titan.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Linklaters team is very impressive and knowledgeable about market practice in Korea, and worked well with local counsel."
"They are clearly knowledgeable about the market and able to describe complex requirements well."
"The Linklaters team is very impressive and knowledgeable about market practice in Korea, and worked well with local counsel."
"They are clearly knowledgeable about the market and able to describe complex requirements well."
Notable Practitioners
Lee Joo Hee is highly sought after by a Korean and multinational clientele owing to the sophistication of her advice on matters relating to project finance and development in the infrastructure and energy sectors.
"Joo Hee is well known in the market and is both very hands-on and knowledgeable. He is also a very tough negotiator."
"Joo Hee is very knowledgeable about the Korean market and its various nuances. She is also always able to compare this to international standards, which is very helpful. She is great to work with."