Department profile

Banking & Finance

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : South Korea

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Shin & Kim

Implementation of the right structure is crucial to the success of a finance transaction. As the leading adviser in Korea, our Banking and Finance Practice Group continues to adapt to the ever-changing financial market, assisting both lenders and borrowers with not only their legal expertise but a deep understanding of the market and commercial needs.

The Banking & Finance Group has unrivalled experience and expertise in all areas of practice across various industries, including general banking, project finance, acquisition finance, SOCs, PPPs, asset finance (ship and aircraft), asset management and funds. With over 30 dedicated lawyers, the Banking & Finance Practice Group excels at providing innovative solutions to complex challenges that come hand-in-hand with first-of-a-kind landmark transactions.

Clients (27)

National Pension Service of Korea
The Korea Development Bank
Korea Trade Insurance Corporation
The Korea Export-Import Bank
Woori Bank
Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd
ORIX Corporation
Yuanta Securities (Korea)
Standard Chartered Bank
Macquarie Korea Asset Management
Hanwha Investment & Securities
KEB Hana Bank
Anchor Equity Partners
Credit Suisse AG
IMM Private Equity
Kookmin Bank
Bank of America
DBS Bank
Banco Santander, S.A.
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico (BNDES)
SC Lowy Financial (HK) Limited
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank(TD Bank)
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited(ANZ)
Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Citibank, N.A.

Industries (7)

Banks
Energy
Financial Services
Government
Insurance
Real Estate Finance
Acquisition Finance

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - South Korea

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Shin & Kim's banking legal team in South Korea provides advice on the full spectrum of banking transactions and remains a popular choice for Korean banks, asset managers and corporations. It is frequently called upon to advise on major acquisition finance and project finance transactions. The team is also well placed to handle asset finance, real estate finance and export finance, alongside debt restructuring matters. The firm is regularly instructed to advise on cross-border transactions.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Shin & Kim represented Kookmin Bank and KB Securities in the acquisition financing for EQT Partner’s acquisition of KJ Environment and its subsidiaries.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The law firm efficiently and diligently handles its assignments, completing them with a high degree of satisfaction and thoroughness.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
In addition to excellent legal services, it stands out because it considers the deal from the client's point of view, making it the law firm that I rely on and use the most.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Helen Pak
Helen Pak is a leading lawyer in South Korea. She handles a wide range of finance mandates, often advising on cross-border acquisition and investment financing transactions on behalf of domestic and international policy and commercial banks.
Helen Pak is a partner you can trust.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 2
Band 2
Yun Seok Jang
Yun Seok Jang heads the banking and financing legal team at Shin & Kim in Seoul. He provides guidance on acquisition financing and refinancing to both domestic and foreign clients.
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Band 3
Band 3
Kyung Hwa Moon
Moon Kyung Hwa provides legal advice to domestic and foreign financial institutions, corporations and government agencies. She focuses on domestic and cross-border securitisation, asset-backed transactions and fund-related transactions.
She knows fund-related business, is highly skilled and is well known in the industry.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
Moon provides timely and high-quality legal services in a cost-transparent manner.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 3
Band 3
Michael Chang
Michael Chang is well respected in the Korean legal market. He maintains an active practice advising international lenders on financing projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Michael is a professional lawyer who advises clients to a high standard.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 3
Band 3
Sang-Hyun Lee
Lee Sang-Hyun advises both lenders and borrowers on financing oil and gas and renewable energy projects, in addition to infrastructure mandates. He acts on behalf of Korean and international banks, corporations and insurers.
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Band 4
Band 4
Bong Sang Cho
Cho Bong Sang offers advice on financing, investment and development of renewable energy projects. He has notable expertise in solar and wind power project transactions.
Cho is very professional and efficient.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
Bong has lots of international project finance experience and covers a broad range of Korean financings.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Gajin Choi
Choi Gajin is a partner at Shin & Kim. She focuses on acquisition financing, credit financing and corporate financing, as well as financial regulatory matters.
Gajin delivers timely legal insights and consistently excels at thorough and quick task completion.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
Gajin always thinks from the client's point of view and is very helpful with quick and detailed answers.
Banking & Finance respondentAsia-Pacific
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