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Provided by John H Choi
John H. Choi is a senior foreign attorney at Shin & Kim. Mr. Choi is a member of the firm's Antitrust Practice Group and currently serves as Chair of Global Cases and Investigations.
Mr. Choi brings exceptional depth of experience and credibility to clients facing complex antitrust and competition law matters. John is widely recognized as Korea’s foremost antitrust practitioner. With more than three decades of experience advising multinational corporations and Korean conglomerates, John has played a leading role in the country’s most significant unilateral conduct and cartel investigations, merger reviews, and global competition cases.
John is internationally regarded by clients and peers alike for his unparalleled legal insight, commercial acumen, and impeccable ethical standards. According to Chambers Asia-Pacific, clients describe John as “legendary in the Korean legal community for his unchallenged ethical standards and excellent lawyering skills,” and as “simply the best” for global antitrust investigations. Others highlight that “John Choi’s client service has been consistently excellent, comprehensive and very responsive,” praising his “very strong sophistication, commercial vision, and integrity.”
John served as a key advisor to leading global corporations in cross-border investigations, representing clients in high-stakes cartel, dominance, and merger control matters involving parallel reviews by authorities in the United States, European Union, Japan, and Korea. His experience extends across numerous industries, including technology, semiconductors, finance, automotive, and telecommunications.
John regularly counsels boards, executives, and compliance teams on complex competition compliance and risk management strategies. His practical understanding of KFTC procedures, combined with his strong relationships with enforcement officials, enables him to help clients navigate investigations efficiently and strategically. He is also sought after for his advice on guiding clients through crisis management situations involving regulatory or reputational exposure.
John’s clients consistently turn to him for his combination of technical excellence, commercial judgment, and integrity. As one long-time client noted, “John Choi is the best of the best in terms of client service and responsiveness. His commercial sense and impeccable integrity set him apart.”
He continues to be a trusted advisor to many of the world’s leading corporations operating in Korea and across the Asia-Pacific region.
John is ranked as a leading individual (Band 1) in Chambers Asia-Pacific for many years and is highly regarded in other global legal directories for Antitrust and Competition. He is recognized not only for his deep expertise but also for setting the benchmark in client service, professional ethics, and leadership within Korea’s legal community.
Shin & Kim LLC (1998-Present)
Adjunct Professor, Seoul National University College of Law (2008-2009)
Samjung International (1996-1998)
Haight, Brown & Bonesteel (1994-1996)
California Bar
The International Comparative Legal Guides - Merger Control 2018-2026: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
GCR Merger Remedies Guide (Edition 6) 2025: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
Chambers Global Practice Guides – Antitrust Litigation 2021, 2023-2025: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
Lexology In-Depth Dominance and Monopolies 2024-2025: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
Chambers Global Practice Guides – Cartels 2019, 2021-2025: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
Lexology Panoramic (formely Getting the Deal Through) – Cartel Regulation 2023-2025: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
Chambers In-Depth Overview – An Introduction to Competition/Antitrust 2024: Korea Chapter
Chambers Global Practice Guides – Litigation 2023-2024: Korea Chapter (Co-authored)
The Law Reviews – The Dominance and Monopolies Review (Edition 11) 2023: Korea Chapter (Co-authored), etc.
Advised global semiconductor company in abuse of market dominance case
Advised foreign automobile manufacturer in exhaust gas collusion case
Advised global container shipping company in collusion case
Advised foreign automobile manufacturer in collusion with dealers case related to sale of automobiles
Advised foreign bank and won decision from KFTC to end deliberation on collusion case without imposing sanctions
Advised multiple global companies in antitrust damages lawsuits
Advised multiple global companies on merger filings and interested parties in merger filing proceedings
UCLA, School of Law
J.D.
1994
UCLA
B.A., Political Science
1991
Provided by Chambers
Provided by Chambers
John has a flawless reputation for his ethical standard and honesty. For global antitrust investigations, no one can replace John in Korea.
John Choi has excellent analytical and legal skills as well as impeccable integrity.
John has a flawless reputation for his ethical standard and honesty. For global antitrust investigations, no one can replace John in Korea.
John Choi has excellent analytical and legal skills as well as impeccable integrity.
5 items provided by Shin & Kim
Shin & Kim LLC Launches AI & Digital Competition Team, the First of Its Kind Among Major Korean Law
Establishes a comprehensive framework to address the various competition law issues arising in AI and digital markets Brings together seasoned antitrust practitioners, including Partner Changhun Lee, who combine a strong command of antitrust theory with extensive practical experience
MERGER CONTROL IN KOREA Vol. 03 - KFTC’s Unconditional Approval of Joint Venture Between Ride-Hailin
On January 28, 2021, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) unconditionally approved the proposed formation of a 51:49 joint venture between two ride-hailing giants, Uber B.V. (“Uber”) and T Map Mobility Co. Ltd. (“T Map Mobility”).
MERGER CONTROL IN KOREA Vol. 02 - Introduction of New “Size-of-Transaction” Test Confirmed
On December 9, 2020, a bill for the MRFTA (“Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act”) amendment was passed at the National Assembly (hereinafter the “Amendment”).
Merger Control in Korea _Vol.01
- KFTC’s Unconditional Approval on 3-to-2 Merger in Take-Home Ice Cream Segment - On September 28, 2020, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) unconditionally cleared Binggrae’s acquisition of 100 percent shares in Haitai Icecream.
Korean Government Seeks to Expand Class Action Law & Punitive Damages in Commercial Lawsuits
South Korea is on the verge of passing legislations that would expand the scope of the country’s existing class action law and award of punitive damages. The proposed changes, which purportedly aim to provide a legal remedy for collective harm to the Korean public, are likely to have a significant i
Shin & Kim LLC Launches AI & Digital Competition Team, the First of Its Kind Among Major Korean Law
Establishes a comprehensive framework to address the various competition law issues arising in AI and digital markets Brings together seasoned antitrust practitioners, including Partner Changhun Lee, who combine a strong command of antitrust theory with extensive practical experience
MERGER CONTROL IN KOREA Vol. 03 - KFTC’s Unconditional Approval of Joint Venture Between Ride-Hailin
On January 28, 2021, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) unconditionally approved the proposed formation of a 51:49 joint venture between two ride-hailing giants, Uber B.V. (“Uber”) and T Map Mobility Co. Ltd. (“T Map Mobility”).
MERGER CONTROL IN KOREA Vol. 02 - Introduction of New “Size-of-Transaction” Test Confirmed
On December 9, 2020, a bill for the MRFTA (“Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act”) amendment was passed at the National Assembly (hereinafter the “Amendment”).
Merger Control in Korea _Vol.01
- KFTC’s Unconditional Approval on 3-to-2 Merger in Take-Home Ice Cream Segment - On September 28, 2020, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (the “KFTC”) unconditionally cleared Binggrae’s acquisition of 100 percent shares in Haitai Icecream.
Korean Government Seeks to Expand Class Action Law & Punitive Damages in Commercial Lawsuits
South Korea is on the verge of passing legislations that would expand the scope of the country’s existing class action law and award of punitive damages. The proposed changes, which purportedly aim to provide a legal remedy for collective harm to the Korean public, are likely to have a significant i