Restructuring/Insolvency | Asia-Pacific

Kim & Chang is a leading team with a large pool of industry experts offering an impressive breadth of restructuring and insolvency advice. It is particularly strong in assisting creditors on rehabilitation and bankruptcy proceedings and recognised for its cross-border insolvency capability. The team also regularly acts as debtor counsel, assisting domestic and international banks. The firm is adept at handling M&A transactions involving insolvent or financially distressed companies. It also provides out-of-court reorganisation services and is able to draw on relevant expertise in finance, tax and insolvency law.

Lee & Ko is a renowned group which includes former bankruptcy judges and handles significant contentious and non-contentious restructuring matters, having advised on substantial insolvency disputes. The firm remains a popular choice of counsel for both domestic and foreign proceedings, particularly those involving shipping and construction companies. It also has close relationships with prominent Korean financial institutions. Its clientele encompasses private corporates and banks such as GS Retail, Korea Development Bank and Daeyang Construction.

Bae, Kim & Lee is a highly regarded debtor-side practice assisting domestic companies in filing for rehabilitation and carrying out approved reorganisation plans. It houses a full-service team, well equipped to handle workouts as well as various insolvency-related takeovers and acquisitions of rehabilitated companies. The team also advises creditor groups, including major international lenders, and is well placed to assist with a range of contentious insolvency matters. It is particularly skilled in cross-border proceedings. Its key clients include Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, OK Capital, and KT.

Shin & Kim is regularly instructed as debtor's counsel in high-profile corporate reorganisations, and is well versed in acquisitions of distressed assets and debt restructuring matters. The firm handles both the contentious and non-contentious aspects of restructuring, including M&A transactions arising from restructuring proceedings. It is also proficient in advising foreign creditors, often Japanese, in relation to transactions with Korean debtors. The practice is well placed to assist government bodies with the drafting of insolvency legislation. SsangYong Motor, Hankook and Central Jungdo are among its clientele.

Yulchon is an experienced team with noted expertise in complex corporate restructurings. It has a proven track record in the coordination of multi-jurisdictional bankruptcies on behalf of debtors. The team is frequently instructed to advise on out-of-court rescue procedures and workout schemes. The firm provides capabilities in cross-border insolvency matters thanks to its close association with local firms in multiple jurisdictions. Its key clients include Seoul Guaranty Insurance Company, Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers and KEB Hanah Bank.

DR & AJU LLC has cultivated a niche domestic-focused practice advising largely on rehabilitation proceedings for a number of domestic clients in different industries including manufacturing, transport, construction and retail. It also assists with the acquisition of companies going through rehabilitation. The firm's clients include K-Water, Dongbu, and Seoul Mungo.

Yoon & Yang is highly experienced in the various corporate transactions arising from reorganisation proceedings, with expertise in handling M&A transactions involving companies under rehabilitation. It continues to expand its creditor practice, often advising domestic banks. The firm also assists companies with filing for bankruptcy and handles related litigation. It is well placed to serve prominent international clients and Korean conglomerate corporations and private equity firms. Its key clients include Cactus Private Equity, Gangwon-do Provincial Government, and POSCO ICT.