Jipyong is a well-rounded firm that offers representation across all key practice areas and core industries. The firm’s competition and labour and employment practices are highly regarded by peers and clients. Managing partner and labour specialist Ji Hyung Kim is widely respected in the market, noted as a ‘pillar of industry’ by peers for his extensive experience in this area. Gee Hong Kim frequently acts as lead partner in competition and antitrust cases, and many of the firm’s top M&A matters last year featured corporate partners Cheol Jeong and Min Shin. The equity capital markets practice has an impressive record as issuer’s counsel on numerous listings, including those for SK Biopharmaceuticals and Kakao Games. The firm is deepening its regional footprint with on-the-ground operations in a number of emerging markets including Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.
Client feedback
“Professional with good communication skills.” – Media and entertainment
Moonhee Kim
“She is professional in the media and entertainment field.”
Work highlights
Represented steel pipe manufacturing company Nexteel in an appeal in a case revoking a retrial decision concerning relief from unfair dismissal and obtained a Supreme Court decision to quash and remand the case to the lower court for further review.
Represented an entrusting party in a claim for illegal dispatch filed by an employee from a regional centre and successfully won the case in the courts of second and third instances by obtaining a decision completely overturning the decision of the first instance.
Key clients
Dong-A University Foundation, Hyundai Motor Company, Paris Croissant.
Work highlights
Successfully represented South Korean multinational drink, brewing and distiller company HiteJinro in a trial for confirmation of the scope of registered design rights and obtained a trial ruling of dismissal.
Represented Sejong Platec in a Supreme Court appeal. The case centred around the interpretation of legal principles concerning the starting date for a subsequent completion appeal following a decision made through public notice. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the firm’s client, overturning the lower court's decision.
Represented DaePoong Industry in defending a trademark infringement claim filed by Sangji Caelum and obtained the decision to dismiss the claim for injunctive relief at the court of first instance and a decision of dismissal of appeal at the court of appeal.
Key clients
Kakao Entertainment, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, TSE.
Work highlights
Representing Daiso Industries in a parallel/post-arbitration lawsuit against Korean shareholders of Asung Daiso, one of Korea’s largest flat-rate retail distributors that was formed as a joint venture between the parties. This case will establish an important precedent for enforcing arbitration agreements against non-signatories who become shareholders in a company bound by such agreements. It also addresses the litigation and enforcement of rights for minority foreign investors in Korean courts.
Representing JTBC Plus Corporation in a lawsuit filed by PGA of America in Florida, US. This case was noteworthy because it involved claims regarding force majeure due to interruptions and changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Representing Icure Pharmaceutical in a parallel lawsuit filed before the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles against Sram & Mram Resources and related companies. This is a complex case involving claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, conversion, fraud, breach of contract and unjust enrichment among parties who are both signatories and non-signatories of an arbitration agreement.
Key clients
AU Optronics, Hyundai L&C, Lotte Cultureworks.
Work highlights
Advised Genemedicine on the execution of a joint research and development agreement with Celltrion for the anti-cancer virus platform technology for systemic administration.
Advised COMES2018-1 M&A Fund on its sale of M2i Corporation. M2i Corporation is the first listed company acquired by a venture investment fund, and the transaction drew attention from the market, with a large number of bidders participating in the bidding process.
Advised the existing shareholders of OK Meat on the sale of their shares to IGIS Asset Management and E-Mart.
Advised Hanil Holdings on its sale of shares in Hanil Networks, a company engaged in the call centre and IT service business for the Hanil Holdings Group, to Ubase.
Key clients
Eugene Sonic, Inhwa Precision, Junglim Architecture, Socius Capital
Work highlights
Advised STIC Investments on the reformation of its governance, listing on the Kospi market and exemption from public disclosure obligations by being recognised as a PEF-specialised business group.
Advised KB Securities, Shinhan Securities and W-Scope Chungju Plant (WCP), a secondary battery separator manufacturing company, on WCP’s listing on the Kosdaq market.
Advised Mirae Asset Securities and Yunsung F&C, a company manufacturing equipment for mixing raw materials used for secondary batteries, on Yunsung’s listing on the Kosdaq market.
Key clients
Korea Investment & Securities, Quality Reliability Technology, Top Material.
Work highlights
Represented a furniture company in a case involving alleged collusion of furniture companies and responded to the Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute (KFTC)’s regulations and investigations by the prosecutors’ office.
Represented a leading electronics company in an investigation of unfair trade practices and the consent decree procedure initiated against a multinational high-tech company.
Represented Haitai Confectionery and Foods, a Korean ice cream manufacturing company, in responding to the KFTC’s regulations and administrative proceedings.
Key clients
Naver, SPC Samlip, Korea Fair Trade Commission
Work highlights
Advised Mirae Asset Securities on the financing of a buyer’s acquisition of land and building located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
Advised Korea Development Bank, Kyobo Life Insurance and Woori Bank on the financing for the acquisition of South Cheongna Smart Logistics Center by Koramco Energy Plus Real Estate Investment Trust.
Advised NH Investment & Securities on the financing for the urban renewal type redevelopment of Supyo zone located in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Key clients
BNK Securities, Hana Securities, KB Securities, Korea Real Estate Investment Trust, Meritz Securities.
Work highlights
Advised client on a lawsuit arising from an accident where an oil tanker collided with a bulk carrier. This was a very rare case where the shipowner tried to claim damages arising from the collision accident against the cargo interests of the counterpart collision vessel. The firm successfully assisted the client and defended the claim from the shipowner.
Defending a crew member of a shipping company who was charged with involuntary manslaughter regarding an accident during ship maintenance operation. Though the Korean Supreme Court rarely reverses lower court judgments, it did so in this case, finding no causal link between the captain's duties and an accident during ship maintenance. The case may set a precedent: captains face criminal liability only when failure of care causally contributes to an accident.
Work highlights
Advised Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems on the subscription of issued shares and new shares in Plaspo, a company that engages in a new and renewable energy converter and solar power business.
Advised Hanwha Solutions on the incorporation of a joint venture company with GS Energy Corporation for the manufacturing, production and sales of ethylene-vinyl acetate and low-density polyethylene products.
Advised Korea Development Bank on entering into a loan agreement and financial agreements with Yeong Yang Wind Power 2 Corporation as the debtor for the financing of the funds necessary for the Yeong Yang Wind Power Project 2.
Key clients
Dae Myoung Energy, Doosan Fuel Cell, Hanwha Power Systems
Work highlights
Represented a number of insurers in disputes relating to whether the insurer was obligated to explain the medical criteria for determining cancer based on the primary site of cancer, as contained in the insurance policy, to the policyholder.
Represented a client in a dispute surrounding a medical reimbursement insurance policy with respect to the co-payment ceiling.
Key clients
Hanwha Life Insurance, Postal Insurance, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance.
Work highlights
Represented JTBC Discovery in a legal claim against Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour (KLPGT). The claim sought to preserve the provisional position of candidates undergoing a second examination and assessment in a bidding process for KLPGT broadcasting rights. Additionally, JTBC Discovery requested the suspension of the bidding process. The firm successfully obtained a court order that recognised and granted all of JTBC Discovery's claims. This order was exceptional as it effectively halted the bidding process conducted by a private company.
Key clients
BH Entertainment, KeyEast, Netflix, Saram Entertainment, SM Entertainment.
Work highlights
Successfully represented the director of Daegu Regional Office of Food and Drug Safety in an appeal seeking the cancellation of the disposition of advertising business suspension with respect to an advertisement for moisturising lotion.
Provided the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service with legal advice related to the project for establishment of the National Health Insurance System of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
Represented the Daejeon Regional Office of Food and Drug Safety in a lawsuit filed by the plaintiff seeking revocation of the disposition of cancellation of the botulinum drug product licence granted to Medytox and the order to suspend manufacturing and sales imposed on Medytox on the grounds of a change of undiluted solution in the product licensing stage.
Key clients
Fortis Life Sciences, GPCR Therapeutics, SK Biopharmaceuticals.
Work highlights
Represented Hanwha REITs on the purchase of five buildings including Hanwha General Insurance’s Yeouido Building and Hanwha Life Financial Service’s Pyeongchon and Nowon Buildings, and financing for the purchases.
Represented Smilegate Asset Management and provided legal advice on the sale of the logistics centre located in Oryu-dong, Incheon.
Key clients
Godeok PFV, Kiwoom Asset Management, Mastern Investment Management.
Work highlights
Represented Artificial Intelligence Industry Cluster Agency (AICA) in provision of consulting services to AI startups with respect to issues concerning personal data protection and other regulations applicable to AI companies
Successfully represented the Minister of Science and Information and Communication Technologies in a litigation case involving the suspension of business imposed on Lotte Home Shopping.
Key clients
National IT Industry Promotion Agency.
