
Lee & Ko

About
Managing Partners: Sang Gon Kim
Number of partners: 320
Number of lawyers: 670
Languages: Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese
Firm Overview:
Korea’s premier full-service law firm. Lee & Ko’s practice groups are consistently ranked among the top in each field of practice by leading Korean and international professional publications.
Practice Areas:
Anti-Corruption & Regulatory
Compliance Antitrust & Competition
Aviation
Banking & Finance
Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Corporate Restructuring
Capital Markets & Securities
Corporate & M&A
Corporate Governance
Customs
Energy
Environment
Foreign Direct Investment
Health Care & Life Science
Insurance
Intellectual Property
International Arbitration
International Trade
Labour & Employment
Litigation
Maritime & Shipping
Overseas Investment
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Privatisation
Product Liability
Real Estate & Construction
Regulatory & Compliance
Tax
Technology, Media & IT
White-Collar Crime
Main Areas of Practice:
Competition/Antitrust:
■ Representation of a leading semiconductor company in the investigation of abuse of bargaining position towards a leading smart mobile manufacturer. Application for consent order was approved; representation is ongoing in the consent order process.
■ Successful representation of leading shipping companies in a series of KFTC’s cartel investigations for several routes, resulting in exemption of all administrative fines for conducts in certain routes; ongoing representation in subsequent administrative appeals.
Contact: Hwan Jeong
Email:[email protected]
Banking & Finance:
■ Financing for Korea Consortium’s acquisition of 15 LNG carriers for QatarEnergy LNG Project
■ Successful Defense of Market-making Companies from the Attempted Sanctions and Monetary Penalties by Korean Financial Regulator
Contacts: Woo Young Jung, Yeo Kyoon Yoon
Emails: [email protected], [email protected]
Capital Markets:
■ Korea Development Bank USD1,450,000,000 Notes and EUR500,000,000 2.625% Notes (Approx. USD2,000,000,000)
■ KEXIM USD1,500,000,000 Green Bonds under GMTN Programme
Contact: Hyunjoo Oh
Email:[email protected]
Corporate/M&A:
■ Representation in acquisition of Hugel by SPC formed by CBC Group, Mubadala, GS Group, and IMM Private Equity from Bain Capital (Ireland) (Deal Value: USD 1.5 billion)
■ Representation in establishment of joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Stellantis (Netherlands) (Deal Value: USD 2.9 billion)
Contact: Hyun Tae Kim
Email:[email protected]
Dispute Resolution:
■ Representing the Republic of Korea in two high-profile ISDS cases totaling approximately USD 1 billion brought by global investment companies
■ Representing the chairman and CEO of a Korean conglomerate in a USD 900 million ICC arbitration brought by foreign investors after receiving a favorable award in a previous arbitration raised by the same foreign investors with practically identical requests.
Contacts: Sungwoo (Sean) Lim, Robert W Wachter
Emails:[email protected],[email protected]
Employment & Labour:
■ Successful representation of one of Korea’s largest stockholder of pipes, tubes, plates and shape steels with business exports globally in a 5-year landmark Supreme Court case whereby the Supreme Court held for the first time in nearly a decade, to uphold a layoff termination.In doing so, employers can more confidently review their business and possible layoffs, knowing that the law will be fairly and equally applied to them if they follow the measures prescribed in the law for a layoff.
■ Successful and effective lead support for a comprehensive internal investigation for alleged workplace harassment for a global medical and pharmaceutical company that involved one of the most senior directors – balancing the various interests including the need for a prompt and objective investigation, commercial objectives, risks of retaliation, and potential escalation.
Contacts: Sang Hoon Lee, William Kim
Emails:[email protected],[email protected]
Tax & Customs:
■ Successfully represented major Korean insurance companies, including Dongbu Insurance, in tax litigation seeking the cancellation of an Education Tax assessment of more than USD 110 million.Lee & Ko successfully convinced the district and appellate courts that the Education Tax base should not include the liability reserves that expired, namely the amounts relating to insurance benefits paid for certain losses.The case is currently before the Supreme Court.As the tax amount at issue is very large, we expected the final decision to major impact in the Insurance industry.
■ Effectively advised Biogen, Inc., a publicly traded U.S. biotech company, on various tax issues (including pre-deal structuring, tax-efficient exit and tax ruling) with respect to Biogen’s sale of its interest in a Korean biosimilar JV.This was one of the biggest M&A deals in recent years (US $2.25 billion).
Contacts: Jay Shim, Ok Hyun Ma
Emails:[email protected],[email protected]
Intellectual Property:
■ Successful representation of Viiv Healthcare Company and Shionogi & Co. Ltd. (whose shares are owned by GlaxoSmithKlen, the global healthcare company) in patent infringement and damages actions against Gilead Science Korea, whereby the two claimed that Gilead Science Korea’s Biktarvy infringed patents related to Dolutegravir, Viiv and Shionogi’s anti-HIV medication. (The case concluded with a global settlement in all litigating jurisdictions with a favorable outcome to the clients.)
■ Successful representation of Coway, the No.1 water purifier company in Korea, in patent infringement and invalidation actions, against Chungho, the industry second mover, which involved a request for compensation of damages totaling over KRW 50 billion, a sum so unprecedented that this dispute was characterized as the “water purifier war” in the media coverage
Contact: Hwan Sung Park
Email:[email protected]
White Collar Crime:
■ Successful defense on newly adopted Serious Accident Punishment Act (SAPA) cases for the nation’s largest construction company, an iron manufacturing company and a chemical company, including the very first case SAPA applied.
■ Successful defense on a number of criminal cases in the areas of cryptocurrency, including a case where Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act applied, a case involving the nation’s largest cryptocurrency exchange and the Terra-Luna crash case which resulted in the worldwide impact.
Contacts:Changhee Suh, Dong Seong Nam
Emails:[email protected], [email protected]
Ranked Offices
Provided by Lee & Ko
- SeoulHanjin Building, 63 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea, 04532
- Web: www.leeko.com
- Tel: +82 2 772 4000
- Fax: +82 2 772 4001/2
- View ranked office
Contributions
10 Contributions provided by Lee & Ko
Private equity funds account for a significant share of the M&A market in Korea. In 2022, trans...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
The year 2023 for labour and employment law in Korea can be described as a period of “no trends”. O...
The year 2023 for labour and employment law in Korea can be described as a period of “no trends”. O...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
Due to factors such as inflation and rising interest rates in the previous year, the M&A market...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
Data Protection & Privacy 2023
Korea’s main legal framework for data protection and privacy is the Personal Information Protection...
Private equity funds account for a significant share of the M&A market in Korea. In 2022, trans...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
The year 2023 for labour and employment law in Korea can be described as a period of “no trends”. O...
The year 2023 for labour and employment law in Korea can be described as a period of “no trends”. O...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
Due to factors such as inflation and rising interest rates in the previous year, the M&A market...
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
The general counsel's comprehensive guide | South Korea
Data Protection & Privacy 2023
Korea’s main legal framework for data protection and privacy is the Personal Information Protection...
Lee & Ko rankings




















Articles, highlights and press releases
56 items provided by Lee & Ko
2023 Asia IP Awards Selected Lee & Ko as the South Korea Copyright Firm of the Year
2023 Asia IP Awards Selected Lee & Ko as the South Korea Copyright Firm of the Year
Lee & Ko awarded in 7 categories by ALB Korea Law Awards 2023
Lee & Ko awarded in 7 categories by ALB Korea Law Awards 2023
Guidelines on Foreign Exchange Business of Foreign Financial Institutions
Guidelines on Foreign Exchange Business of Foreign Financial Institutions
Steve Minhoo Kim Named ‘Transfer Pricing Practice Leader of the Year’ at ITR APAC Tax Awards
Steve Minhoo Kim Named ‘Transfer Pricing Practice Leader of the Year’ at ITR APAC Tax Awards
Lee & Ko earned honors in six categories, including “Asia Firm of the Year”
Lee & Ko earned honors in six categories, including “Asia Firm of the Year” and “South Korea Firm of the Year,” at Asialaw Awards 2023
Amended Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea
Amended Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea
Ju Bong Jang, selected as ‘Asia Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2023’ by ALB
Ju Bong Jang, selected as ‘Asia Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2023’ by ALB
Top Tier in ALB M&A Rankings 2023
Top Tier in ALB M&A Rankings 2023
Lee & Ko chosen as top law firm in all 24 sectors by ‘Asialaw Profiles 2023 (28th edition)’
Lee & Ko chosen as top law firm in all 24 sectors by ‘Asialaw Profiles 2023 (28th edition)’
Highlights of the FY2023 Tax Law Amendment Proposals
Highlights of the FY2023 Tax Law Amendment Proposals
Attorney Ji Hyeong Park, selected as ‘ALB Asia Top 15 Female Lawyers’
Attorney Ji Hyeong Park, selected as ‘ALB Asia Top 15 Female Lawyers’
The best law firm by MIP's IP Stars 2023
The best law firm by MIP's IP Stars 2023
The Future of the Food Industry: Food Tech
The Future of the Food Industry: Food Tech
Tier1 in All Practice Areas of IFLR1000
Tier1 in All Practice Areas of IFLR1000
"Chambers High Net Worth 2023" ranks Lee & Ko in the top band
"Chambers High Net Worth 2023" ranks Lee & Ko in the top band
Korea – Passage of the Act on the Protection of the Virtual Asset Users...
Korea – Passage of the Act on the Protection of the Virtual Asset Users at the Plenary Session of the National Assembly
“Law Firm of the Year” at the 2023 MIP Asia Pacific Awards
“Law Firm of the Year” at the 2023 MIP Asia Pacific Awards
Top Tier Law Firm by IAM Patent 1000 2023
Top Tier Law Firm by IAM Patent 1000 2023
Partial Amendment Bill to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act passed by the National Assembly'
Partial Amendment Bill to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act passed by the National Assembly's National Policy Committee
Latest Update to 「Guidelines for Workplace Risk Assessment」 to Impact Businesses in Korea
Latest Update to 「Guidelines for Workplace Risk Assessment」 to Impact Businesses in Korea
Supreme Court of Korea Affirms Abuse of Dominance for Tying Patent Licenses and Engineering Services
Supreme Court of Korea Affirms Abuse of Dominance for Tying Patent Licenses and Engineering Services in the Shipbuilding Industry
IP Issues and Implications Relating to ChatGPT
IP Issues and Implications Relating to ChatGPT
Electricity Business License Approval Criteria – Stricter Standards to Apply
Electricity Business License Approval Criteria – Stricter Standards to Apply
Proposed Amendment of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act
Proposed Amendment of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (III)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (III)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (II)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (II)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (I)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (I)
2023 Capital Markets Regulation Trends and its Impacts on Corporations- Auditor Journal (Jan. 2023)
2023 Capital Markets Regulation Trends and its Impacts on Corporations
Korea’s Draft Amendment to the Civil Act May Mean Statutory Protection for ‘Right of Publicity’
Korea’s Draft Amendment to the Civil Act May Mean Statutory Protection for ‘Right of Publicity’
Recent Capital Markets Regulatory Trend
Recent Capital Markets Regulatory Trend
2023 Asia IP Awards Selected Lee & Ko as the South Korea Copyright Firm of the Year
2023 Asia IP Awards Selected Lee & Ko as the South Korea Copyright Firm of the Year
Lee & Ko awarded in 7 categories by ALB Korea Law Awards 2023
Lee & Ko awarded in 7 categories by ALB Korea Law Awards 2023
Guidelines on Foreign Exchange Business of Foreign Financial Institutions
Guidelines on Foreign Exchange Business of Foreign Financial Institutions
Steve Minhoo Kim Named ‘Transfer Pricing Practice Leader of the Year’ at ITR APAC Tax Awards
Steve Minhoo Kim Named ‘Transfer Pricing Practice Leader of the Year’ at ITR APAC Tax Awards
Lee & Ko earned honors in six categories, including “Asia Firm of the Year”
Lee & Ko earned honors in six categories, including “Asia Firm of the Year” and “South Korea Firm of the Year,” at Asialaw Awards 2023
Amended Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea
Amended Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea
Ju Bong Jang, selected as ‘Asia Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2023’ by ALB
Ju Bong Jang, selected as ‘Asia Top 15 TMT Lawyers 2023’ by ALB
Top Tier in ALB M&A Rankings 2023
Top Tier in ALB M&A Rankings 2023
Lee & Ko chosen as top law firm in all 24 sectors by ‘Asialaw Profiles 2023 (28th edition)’
Lee & Ko chosen as top law firm in all 24 sectors by ‘Asialaw Profiles 2023 (28th edition)’
Highlights of the FY2023 Tax Law Amendment Proposals
Highlights of the FY2023 Tax Law Amendment Proposals
Attorney Ji Hyeong Park, selected as ‘ALB Asia Top 15 Female Lawyers’
Attorney Ji Hyeong Park, selected as ‘ALB Asia Top 15 Female Lawyers’
The best law firm by MIP's IP Stars 2023
The best law firm by MIP's IP Stars 2023
The Future of the Food Industry: Food Tech
The Future of the Food Industry: Food Tech
Tier1 in All Practice Areas of IFLR1000
Tier1 in All Practice Areas of IFLR1000
"Chambers High Net Worth 2023" ranks Lee & Ko in the top band
"Chambers High Net Worth 2023" ranks Lee & Ko in the top band
Korea – Passage of the Act on the Protection of the Virtual Asset Users...
Korea – Passage of the Act on the Protection of the Virtual Asset Users at the Plenary Session of the National Assembly
“Law Firm of the Year” at the 2023 MIP Asia Pacific Awards
“Law Firm of the Year” at the 2023 MIP Asia Pacific Awards
Top Tier Law Firm by IAM Patent 1000 2023
Top Tier Law Firm by IAM Patent 1000 2023
Partial Amendment Bill to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act passed by the National Assembly'
Partial Amendment Bill to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act passed by the National Assembly's National Policy Committee
Latest Update to 「Guidelines for Workplace Risk Assessment」 to Impact Businesses in Korea
Latest Update to 「Guidelines for Workplace Risk Assessment」 to Impact Businesses in Korea
Supreme Court of Korea Affirms Abuse of Dominance for Tying Patent Licenses and Engineering Services
Supreme Court of Korea Affirms Abuse of Dominance for Tying Patent Licenses and Engineering Services in the Shipbuilding Industry
IP Issues and Implications Relating to ChatGPT
IP Issues and Implications Relating to ChatGPT
Electricity Business License Approval Criteria – Stricter Standards to Apply
Electricity Business License Approval Criteria – Stricter Standards to Apply
Proposed Amendment of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act
Proposed Amendment of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (III)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (III)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (II)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (II)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (I)
Second Major Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Passed by National Assembly (I)
2023 Capital Markets Regulation Trends and its Impacts on Corporations- Auditor Journal (Jan. 2023)
2023 Capital Markets Regulation Trends and its Impacts on Corporations
Korea’s Draft Amendment to the Civil Act May Mean Statutory Protection for ‘Right of Publicity’
Korea’s Draft Amendment to the Civil Act May Mean Statutory Protection for ‘Right of Publicity’
Recent Capital Markets Regulatory Trend
Recent Capital Markets Regulatory Trend