Established 1973
Tel: +82 2 3703 1114
Fax: +82 2 737 9091/9092
Email: lawkim@kimchang.com
Website: www.kimchang.com
Number of lawyers: 920
Languages: Korean, English, German, French, Dutch, Swedish, Chinese and Japanese
Practice Areas: Antitrust & competition, banking & finance, capital markets, criminal defence, environment, e-commerce, fintech, health, insolvency & restructuring, insurance, intellectual property, international trade & customs, labour & employment, litigation/arbitration, M&A, privacy & data security, private equity, project finance, real estate & construction, securities, shipping, structured finance, tax, technology, media & telecommunications
Established in 1973, we are today Korea’s premier law firm, and one of Asia’s leading law firms.
We are the market leader in all major practice areas and industries, including: corporate; mergers and acquisitions; antitrust and competition; banking and finance; securities and capital markets; litigation and arbitration; bankruptcy/corporate restructuring; international trade and customs; tax; intellectual property; product liability; privacy and data security; labor and employment; real estate and construction; environment; technology, media and telecom; FinTech and e-commerce; healthcare/pharmaceuticals/medical devices; consumer products; and maritime.
Our strong foundation is built upon the breadth and depth of our talent. Our professionals include lawyers, tax lawyers, patent and trademark attorneys, accountants, and other subject matter and industry experts totaling more than 1,500 today. We work in tight-knit teams, committed to creating innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges that our clients face in growing their business.
We have advised on some of the largest, most complex, and demanding transactions in Korea and around the world. We counsel both private and public entities. We have built a track record of “first-of-its-kind” and groundbreaking solutions that have had a profound impact on the law and in business.
We are particularly known for our cross-border expertise. Our attorneys are licensed in multiple jurisdictions, including Korea, as well as Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, England and Wales, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the U.S. With our growing regional network and our collaborative relationships with reputable law firms across Asia and around the globe, our clients with multi-jurisdictional interests have come to rely on us as a “one-stop shop” of the highest quality.
Recognition and Awards
- “Asia-Pacific Firm of the Year” – Asialaw Asia-Pacific Legal Practice Awards (2017)
- “Asian Law Firm of the Year” – ALM Asia Legal Awards (2015)
- "Best Asian Law Firm: Gold Award” – International Legal Alliance Awards (2017)
- “South Korea National Law Firm of the Year” – Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards (2018)
- “Country and State Awards: Korea” – Who’s Who Legal Awards (2018)
- “National Law Firm of the Year: Korea” – IFLR Asia Awards (2018)
- “Korea Law Firm of the Year” – ALB Korea Law Awards (2017)
- “Band 1” in all 8 practice areas – Chambers Global (2018)
- “Band 1” in all 19 practice areas – Chambers Asia-Pacific (2018)
- “Tier 1” in all 16 practice areas – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2018)
- “Tier 1” in all 6 practice areas – IFLR1000 (2018)
- “Tier 1” in all 18 practice areas – Asialaw Profiles (2018)
South Korea
Kim & Chang
Banking and finance
Work highlights
Advised the lenders and the financial investors including Kookmin Bank and Mirae Asset Global Investments on all aspects of the Pyeongtaek–Buyeo–Iksan Highway Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) Project. This project was the largest PPI project in Korea in terms of project financing.Key clients
Bank of Communications, Netmarble Games, SMBC Aviation Capital, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust BankCapital markets
Work highlights
Represented Lotte Chemical, the controlling shareholder of Lotte Chemical Titan Holding, in connection with its IPO in Malaysia.Competition/antitrust
Work highlights
Acted for Dow Chemical and DuPont in their merger of equals due to the parties’ broad product portfolios resulted in relatively extensive horizontal overlaps and vertical relationships. This case raised significant innovation market issues concerning the potential impact of the transaction on the future R&D activities of the combined entity in the crop protection segment.Construction
Work highlights
Representing Korean two major construction companies working in a joint venture in a London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) arbitration concerning construction of a nuclear power plant in the UAE with a matter value of approximately $550 million.
Advised Hyundai Engineering & Construction in its development of a 120MW hydropower plant project in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Key clients
KDB Infrastructure Investments Asset Management, Korea Hydro & Nuclear PowerCorporate and M&A
Work highlights
Advised the consortium of Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs and the selling founder, Sang Rok Lee in their sale of 96% of the issues and outstanding shares in Carver Korea for approximately $2.8 billion to Unilever.
Advised four public companies, Lotte Confectionery, Lotte Shopping, Lotte Chilsung Beverage and Lotte Food, all of which are listed affiliates of the Lotte Group, in a spin-off and merger transaction. This was the first corporate reorganisation in Korea where the investment operations of four public companies formed a (listed) holding company.
Advised Millinium Inmark Asset Management (Millinium) for a Korean real estate fund (REF) established by Millinium to acquire five warehouses located in Finland through several SPVs in Luxembourg and Finland.
Key clients
Baring Private Equity Partners, IMM Private Equity, LK Investment Partners, Taekwang Power ServicesDispute resolution
Work highlights
Represented a major Korean shipyard in London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) arbitration proceedings concerning the shipbuilding contract governed by English law against a shipping company owned by a Greek shipowner for an offshore construction vessel.Key clients
Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation, NH Investment & Securities, Philip Morris KoreaIntellectual property
Work highlights
Successfully defended Astellas Pharma against challenges to the patent term extension for Korean Patent No. 967070 (relating to approval for Betmiga). This was a landmark decision and the first case ever where a Korean court issued specific guidance regarding the proper calculation method for determining the PTE term.Key clients
AT Solutions, Korea Communications Commission, L’Oreal, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis Pharma, PfizerInvestment funds
Work highlights
Advised the National Housing Funds and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation on the establishment of four real estate investment trust companies to develop government-sponsored rental housing.Key clients
ADF Asset Management, M&G Real Estate, Multi Asset Global Investments, Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management, Vogo Fund Asset ManagementPrivate equity
Work highlights
Acted for Bain Capital on the acquisition of a controlling stake in Hugel, a Korea-based biopharmaceuticals manufacturer. This transaction was unprecedented in that it involved a global private equity fund acquiring controlling shares in a listed bio company in Korea.
Acted for Anchor Equity Partners in its purchase of outstanding shares of common stock and subscription and purchase of newly issued shares of common stock of A Twosome Place, a famous coffeehouse chain in Korea.
Regulatory
Work highlights
Advised Mercedes-Benz Korea on its launch of connected car services, one of the most prominent emerging fields in the fourth industrial revolution.Restructuring and insolvency
Work highlights
Represented various creditors against a debtor company, Hanjin Shipping in its rehabilitation and then bankruptcy proceedings in Korea.Tax
Work highlights
Represented eight leasing companies in relation to the applicability of a domestic interest withholding exemption for foreign currency loans extended by leasing companies engaged in a foreign exchange business.
Represented STATS ChipPAC Korea in a transfer pricing tax litigation, resulting a $10 million corporate income tax refund.
Key clients
eBay Korea, JPMorgan Asset Management Real Assets (Asia), SK EnergyClient feedback
“Provide concise and professional advice based on a deep understanding of the industry as well as the client’s company.” – Dispute resolution
“Kim & Chang indeed is the best firm in Korea.” – Dispute resolution
“The management of the project was reliable and satisfactory in general, they have a high level of expertise in this field.” – Labour and employment
“I value Brian's input very highly and it is a good partnership.” - Brian Oh
“Both of them are very communicative and very good in English. They don't enjoy holidays. They respond even during holidays.” - Deok-Il Seo and Hyo-Sang Kim
“Fast response time and provide tactical solutions/advises that the company is looking for.” - Eun Hee Kim
“Quick and good understanding of the subjects. Connect subject matter experts if necessary with good communication.” - Hwan Beom Lee
“The rich research and prompt, accurate responses are impressive.” - Hyun Wook Shin
“He understands the insurance industry and tries to respond as soon as possible.” - Jae Ho Baek
“Mr Jang is a great lawyer with expertise in his practice areas.” - Jisoo Jang
“Roh has a remarkable ability to understand the client and suggest approaches that align with the client company's values and risk appetite.” - Kyung Shik Roh
“I could not be happier with the work I received from Minsan Kim. He is extremely efficient, competent and professional. His work was outstanding, always clear and concise. He was responsive to my phone calls and emails and always available to answer any questions. Thus, the communication was excellent and efficient. He understood clearly what the client wanted and needed and made sure that nothing fell through the cracks.” - Min San Kim
“He worked with us for past 5 years – knows the ins and out of our situation and provides the right advice.” - Myoung Jae Chung
“Myung is very knowledgeable in her areas of expertise.” “Quickly identifies the issue and provides practical legal solutions.” - Myung Soon Chung
“Wan Bin Park has very good understanding of our business and actively provides meaningful advices.” - Wan Bin Park
“Kim provides a considerate advice. Broad and in-depth knowledge and experience is always very helpful. No weakness has been identified yet.” - Young Min Kim
“Bilingual in Korean and English, possessing the expertise/knowledge and experience in the subject matter areas, and great client management skills.” - Yunjoh Lee and Hwasoo Chung
South Korea
Aviation and shipping
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Choi & Kim |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Moon & Song |
Yoon & Yang |
Yulchon |
Banking and financial services
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Shin & Kim |
Highly recommended |
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Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Consumer goods and services
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Yoon & Yang |
Energy
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Industrials and manufacturing
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Yoon & Yang |
Infrastructure
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Shin & Kim |
Recommended |
---|
Yulchon |
Insurance
Outstanding |
---|
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Shin & Kim |
Recommended |
---|
Yulchon |
Media and entertainment
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Shin & Kim |
Highly recommended |
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Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Shin & Kim |
Real estate
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Shin & Kim |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Lee & Ko |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Technology and telecommunications
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yoon & Yang |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Jipyong |
SEUM Law |
Banking and finance
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Notable |
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DR & AJU |
Capital markets
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Shin & Kim |
Highly recommended |
---|
Bae Kim & Lee |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Competition/antitrust
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Yulchon |
Highly recommended |
---|
Bae Kim & Lee |
Shin & Kim |
Yoon & Yang |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Construction
Outstanding |
---|
Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Corporate and M&A
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
HMP Law |
Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Notable |
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Barun Law |
DR & AJU |
KL Partners |
Dispute resolution
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Yulchon |
Highly recommended |
---|
Shin & Kim |
Yoon & Yang |
Recommended |
---|
Barun Law |
HMP Law |
Jipyong |
Notable |
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KL Partners |
Intellectual property
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Lee & Ko |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Cho & Partners |
FirstLaw PC |
Lee International IP & Law |
Shin & Kim |
Yoon & Yang |
You Me Patent & Law Firm |
Investment funds
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Yulchon |
Labour and employment
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
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Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Private equity
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Yulchon |
Highly recommended |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Lee & Ko |
Shin & Kim |
Regulatory
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yoon & Yang |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Jipyong |
Restructuring and insolvency
Outstanding |
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Bae Kim & Lee |
Kim & Chang |
Lee & Ko |
Highly recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yulchon |
Recommended |
---|
Jipyong |
Yoon & Yang |
Tax
Outstanding |
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Kim & Chang |
Yulchon |
Highly recommended |
---|
Bae Kim & Lee |
Lee & Ko |
Recommended |
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Shin & Kim |
Yoon & Yang |
Lawyer | Ranking | Practice Area |
---|---|---|
Ahn, Jay | Market-leading lawyer | Banking and finance, Competition/antitrust, Corporate and M&A |
Baek, Jae Ho | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A, Insurance |
Baik, Je Heum | Leading lawyer | Tax |
Baik, Woo Hyun | Leading lawyer | Tax |
Byun, Sup Joon | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A, Dispute resolution |
Chang, Duck Soon | Leading lawyer | Intellectual property |
Cho, Keun-Ah | Leading lawyer | Construction and real estate |
Choi, Dong Shik | Market-leading lawyer | IT, telco and media |
Chung, Byung-Suk | Leading lawyer | Shipping, maritime and aviation |
Chung, Jin Yeong | Market-leading lawyer | Dispute resolution, Restructuring and insolvency |
Chung, Kye Sung | Market-leading lawyer | Banking and finance, Corporate and M&A |
Chung, Liz Kyo-Hwa | Leading lawyer | Dispute resolution |
Chung, Myoung Jae | Leading lawyer | Capital markets, Corporate and M&A, Investment funds |
Chung, Yun Bak | Leading lawyer | Private equity |
Doh, Hyunsoo | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A |
Han, Sang Wook | Leading lawyer | Intellectual property |
Huh, Young Man | Leading lawyer | Capital markets, Private equity |
Hyun, Chun Wook | Market-leading lawyer | Labour and employment |
Jeong, Sung Ku | Leading lawyer | Capital markets |
Jung, Kyung Taek | Market-leading lawyer | Competition/antitrust, Corporate and M&A |
Jung, Youngjin | Leading lawyer | Competition/antitrust |
Kim, Gene-Oh (Gene) | Leading lawyer | Competition/antitrust |
Kim, Hee Jeong | Rising star lawyer | Capital markets |
Kim, Jin Hwan | Leading lawyer | IT, telco and media |
Kim, Joon | Rising star lawyer | Corporate and M&A |
Kim, Sung Nam | Leading lawyer | Intellectual property |
Kim, Weon Jung | Leading lawyer | Labour and employment |
Kim, Young | Leading lawyer | Intellectual property |
Ko, Chang Hyeon | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A, Private equity |
Lee, Chul-Won | Leading lawyer | Shipping, maritime and aviation |
Lee, Hoin | Leading lawyer | Banking and finance, Labour and employment |
Lee, Jin-Hong | Leading lawyer | Shipping, maritime and aviation |
Lee, Sang Hwan | Leading lawyer | Banking and finance |
Oh, Yon Kyun | Market-leading lawyer | Construction and real estate |
Park, Eun Young | Leading lawyer | Dispute resolution |
Park, Jong Hyun | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A |
Park, Jong Koo | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A |
Park, Sung Eyup | Leading lawyer | Competition/antitrust |
Park, Sung Uk | Leading lawyer | Corporate and M&A |
Rim, Chiyong | Market-leading lawyer | Restructuring and insolvency |
Ro, Young Jay | Leading lawyer | Capital markets, Corporate and M&A |
Seo, Deok Il | Leading lawyer | Labour and employment |
Yang, Jay (Young-June) | Market-leading lawyer | Intellectual property |
Yoo, Kook Hyun | Market-leading lawyer | Dispute resolution |
Yoon, Byung Chol | Leading lawyer | Dispute resolution |
Yoon, Hi Sun | Leading lawyer | Banking and finance |
Yu, Kwan-Sik | Leading lawyer | Construction and real estate |
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