Department profile
Shin & Kim

Employment

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : South Korea


Shin & Kim

Rankings

About

Provided by Shin & Kim

Our Labor and Employment Practice Group is comprised of professionals, including former officials at the Ministry of Labor, dedicated to advising on all aspects of labor and employment-related issues. This includes business-as-usual advice to ensure our clients are compliant generally, or more specific advice required as part of a M&A or restructuring transaction.

The Labor and Employment Practice Group has a wealth of knowledge and experience advising on individual and collective labor relationships, due diligence, workforce restructuring, trade secrets, employment discrimination, employment disputes, internal investigations & audits, administrative proceedings, employment policies & agreements and compensation & benefits. The scope and depth of the Labor and Employment Practice Group’s expertise allows us to provide creative and strategic advice tailored to our clients’ labor and employment needs in a comprehensive and efficient manner. 

Clients (28)

  • Ssangyong Motor Company
  • Korea Electric Power Corporation
  • Hyundai Securities Co., Ltd.
  • Korea Rail Road Corporation (KORAIL)
  • CBRE Korea
  • Hyundai Motor
  • KT&G Corporation
  • Lotte Asahi Liquor
  • Hanwha Life Insurance
  • Seoul Guarantee Insurance Company
  • Korea Broadcasting System (KBS)
  • Bank of Korea
  • Valeo Electrical Systems Korea
  • Lotte GRS
  • KB Securities
  • SK Hynix
  • ByteDance
  • Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance
  • Samsung C&T Corporation
  • Government of Korea
  • Hyundai Motor Company
  • eCredible
  • Vestiaire Collective
  • Sejong Hotel
  • Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance
  • Novotech
  • Continental Automotive
  • Sungrak Church

Industries (19)

  • Automobiles & Parts
  • Banks
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Government
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Insurance
  • Mining & Metals
  • Real Estate
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Transportation
  • Hotels
  • Food retail and distribution
  • Securities
  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering, Construction, Trading, Investment, Fashion and Resort
  • Government

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - South Korea

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Shin & Kim is an established Korean law firm that maintains a stellar reputation for labour and employment litigation, including advice on employee status, ordinary wage cases, workplace accident claims and labour union disputes. Well equipped to advise on regulatory matters and labour inspections carried out by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, it regularly advises blue-chip domestic and foreign companies, banks and public bodies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Shin & Kim advised Valeo Electrical Systems Korea on a KRW20 billion claim brought by union members for unpaid allowances related to ordinary wages.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Shin & Kim have always been timely and professional and have tailored the advice to our needs. They have the manpower and expertise to handle the most complex issues.

    Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
  • They deliver up-to-date expertise on Korean labour law in a way that is practical and accessible for companies. They are able to tailor the content to the needs of an international business audience.

    Employment respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Eminent PractitionersYoung Seok Ki
    Eminent PractitionersYoung Seok Ki

    Young Seok Ki

    Ki Young Seok is a senior partner at Shin & Kim in Seoul. He shows a strong involvement in advisory matters, including investigations, restructuring and review of employment documents.

    • He's a complete expert in Korean labour issues. He's excellent at litigating in court and speaking with Korean executives and labour unions; he understands their cultural background.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
    • With a deep understanding of our company's business and extensive experience and expertise in labour law consulting, he provides the best advice and guidance.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 1Dong Wook Kim
    Band 1Dong Wook Kim

    Dong Wook Kim

    Kim Dong Wook is the head of the labour and employment practice group at Shin & Kim. He is reputed for undertaking a variety of Korean employment law matters, including advising on collective bargaining, as well as health and safety matters.

    • He's one of the country's leading experts in labour law, especially collective labour-management relations.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He's not only a lawyer, but also someone with hands-on experience at the Ministry of Employment and Labour, giving him strong networking and specialisation in legislative and policy matters.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Anthony (Chul Jun) Chang
    Band 3Anthony (Chul Jun) Chang

    Anthony (Chul Jun) Chang

    Anthony Chang is a foreign attorney based in Seoul. He shows strong involvement in employment advisory work and investigations.

    • Anthony is a real pleasure to work with. He knows Korean employment law like the back of his hand and his previous in-house experience means he knows exactly what we're looking for.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He stands out for his professionalism, clarity and strong ability to communicate legal issues in a way that is easy to understand.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Jong Soo Kim
    Band 3Jong Soo Kim

    Jong Soo Kim

    Kim Jong Soo advises clients on an array of advisory and contentious Korean employment law matters, including illegal dispatch, employee status claims and incentive scheme-related issues.

    • He listens well and not only handles the documentation, but also aligns effectively with the company’s interests and internal response strategies.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Jong Soo's perspective is very broad and it was extremely helpful that he pointed out areas we hadn’t considered.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Sery Lee
    Band 3Sery Lee

    Sery Lee

    Lee Sery is a Seoul-based partner at Shin & Kim. She is particularly noted for her focus on workplace harassment, and regularly leads investigations, training sessions and advisory reviews related to this issue.

    • We’ve received a lot of advisory support from her. She provides deep and insightful feedback.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Her expertise and experience not only provide legal advice, but also practical advice, which has been invaluable.

      Employment respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Shin & Kim (5)

South Korea

Members

Provided by Shin & Kim

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