South Korea (asialaw)

An undisputed premier firm, Lee & Ko holds steady in the rankings as a fool-proof choice for its impressive roster of offshore and onshore clients. Its renowned finance practice wins plaudits from peers and clients that acknowledge its frequent role in representing lenders. The firm was elevated this year into the ‘Outstanding’ tiers for labour and employment and real estate. Lee & Ko’s traditional dominance in debt capital markets helped it maintain a steady flow of debt deals. Managing partner Yong Seok Ahn is recognised for his corporate and competition expertise.  

The firm has continued to evolve its practice areas through strategic hiring and internal changes. In the dispute resolution sector, Lee & Ko strengthened its team with key hires, including partners Young Su Kang, Tai Han Ha and Eun Pyo Hong in March 2025, and Eun Young Park in October 2024. The competition practice was bolstered by the addition of senior advisor Moo Jin Choi from the Korea Fair Trade Commission in March 2025. 

The firm has bolstered its intellectual property practice with a key partner-level hires in the past year. Hankil D. Kang joined the firm as a partner in May 2024, from Bae, Kim & Lee. These strategic appointments underscore Lee & Ko's commitment to expanding its IP capabilities, particularly in healthcare-related fields. 

Client feedback 

"At Lee & Ko, they demonstrated a clear and thorough understanding of our business and its unique characteristics. Rather than providing general legal advice, they offered precise, tailored answers that addressed the specific issues we faced. Moreover, they provided clear and practical guidance on how to resolve those issues effectively, helping us make well-informed decisions at each stage. Their ability to grasp the core of our business and deliver relevant, actionable solutions was especially valuable." – Competition/antitrust 

"Lee & Ko actively seeks to understand the company's business areas and provides effective solutions based on this understanding." – Competition/antitrust 

"They are professional and excellent." – Competition/antitrust 

"Lee & Ko demonstrates strong expertise across a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters, particularly in complex areas such as competition law and corporate investigations. 
The firm is known for its depth of legal analysis, clear strategic advice, and ability to provide practical solutions tailored to the client’s business context. Their responsiveness and collaborative approach make them a reliable partner in sensitive and time-pressured situations. Overall, Lee & Ko combines legal excellence with commercial awareness, which makes their counsel both actionable and effective." – Competition/antitrust 

"They have top-tier experts and professional legal support." – Competition/antitrust 

"Lee & Ko conducted a thorough review with a high level of expertise and presented various alternatives." – Competition/antitrust  

"Lee & Ko combines deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of the Korean regulatory and business landscape. The firm is highly responsive and practical and consistently delivers high-quality advice across complex matters. Their client-focused approach and professionalism make them a trusted partner in both domestic and cross-border issues." – Competition/antitrust 

"They have great expertise and are easy to communicate with." – Competition/antitrust 

"The law firm holds business-specific professional expertise." – Competition/antitrust 

"As OK Financial Group was recently designated as a large business group by the KFTC, it is undergoing its first investigation by the KFTC. In this unfamiliar situation, Lee & Ko has been providing proactive and effective support in responding to the investigation. Moreover, they have been offering practical advice to help mitigate future risks related to fair trade compliance." – Competition/antitrust 

"Lee & Ko demonstrated exceptional diligence in investigating the factual basis of our case. Their thorough approach to fact-finding appears to have been a critical factor in the successful outcome of the litigation. Effective legal representation in damages lawsuits requires a comprehensive understanding of all relevant circumstances, and Lee & Ko excelled in this aspect of their service. The firm appears to have developed and executed an effective litigation strategy based on their thorough fact investigation. In damages lawsuits, establishing or refuting the elements of liability (duty, breach, causation and damages) requires strategic planning and execution." – Corporate and M&A 

"Their answers are always reliable and prompt." – Corporate and M&A 

"Lee & Ko is a premier Korean law firm with a well-earned reputation for legal excellence, strategic insight, and client dedication. The firm’s strength lies in its ability to deliver sophisticated, commercially sound advice across a wide range of complex legal issues, particularly in cross-border disputes and international arbitration. One of the most commendable aspects of Lee & Ko is its deep bench of highly skilled professionals who work seamlessly across practice areas. The firm demonstrates a clear understanding of client objectives, and its advice consistently reflects both technical precision and practical judgement." – Dispute resolution 

"Lee & Ko has a deep understanding of trademark law and provides practical, business-orientated advice. Their team is highly responsive, detail-orientated, and reliable in managing both domestic and international trademark matters." – Intellectual property 

"They analysed the technology in detail and reviewed the risks with suggested alternatives." – Intellectual property 

"Lee & Ko is one of the most prestigious law firms in Korea, and its diverse range of expertise enables effective communication among specialists from various fields. This collaboration ensures that clients receive accurate, comprehensive responses in a timely manner." – Intellectual property 

Jeong Yoon Choi 

"Jeongyoon is a highly knowledgeable and reliable expert in Korean competition law. She has a clear ability to analyse complex regulatory issues and translate them into practical, business-orientated advice. Her communication is always precise, timely, and solution-focused, which makes her an effective partner in both advisory and contentious matters. Her calm and thoughtful approach builds trust with clients, and her deep understanding of KFTC practice adds significant value to strategic decision-making." 

Byong Ki Chung 

"He demonstrates exceptional legal expertise and thorough understanding of complex issues. He is highly responsive and communicates clearly, ensuring that clients are always well-informed. His practical approach and attention to detail enable him to deliver effective solutions tailored to the client’s needs. Additionally, his professionalism and dedication build strong trust and confidence in his work." 

Sanghoon Han 

"Sanghoon is a highly capable and practical lawyer, particularly skilled in navigating complex construction disputes. What sets him apart is not just his deep knowledge of international arbitration and construction law but also the clarity and focus he brings to fast-moving, high-stakes matters. He has a unique ability to break down technically and legally complex issues into clear, manageable strategies – always keeping the big picture in mind while paying close attention to detail. In our experience, Sanghoon is exceptionally responsive. He’s consistently available, quick to grasp evolving issues, and solution-orientated in a way that gives clients real confidence. Even under tight deadlines or with complicated procedural developments, he remains calm, clear-headed, and constructive. Equally important, he’s a pleasure to work with. His collaborative and down-to-earth style makes it easy to align quickly on strategy, even across jurisdictions and teams. That combination of legal acumen, responsiveness, and approachable professionalism is rare – and extremely valuable in high-stakes cross-border matters." 

Jang Hyun Ka 

"He has been serving as the main handler in the current KFTC investigation, providing highly proactive and hands-on advice. Despite the fast-moving and urgent nature of the situation, he has responded swiftly and delivered effective, well-calibrated counsel based on his extensive experience." 

"He excels in communication with clients and responds quickly and proactively." 

Ji Yeon Kim 

"She does a thorough fact investigation and strategic case management." 

“She successfully completes the given mission with positive thinking and unyielding will.” 

Jaewoo Kwak 

"Jaewoo provides prompt and clear advice on trademark matters. He is professional, attentive to detail, and offers practical solutions tailored to our business needs." 

"He responds positively to new questions without panicking." 

"Jaewoo is the type of person you enjoy working with, both professionally and personally. He has been instrumental in applying his expertise in intellectual property across various fields. His exceptional knowledge and dedication have earned him the distinction of being named Attorney of the Year in Korea for consecutive years." 

In Seon Lee 

"He is aggressive, professional, and kind." 

Miji Lee 

"With over 20 years of experience in the field of competition law, her deep knowledge and practical expertise have been an invaluable asset to our company. Her extensive understanding of both legal regulations and industry practices allowed her to provide advice that was not only legally sound but also highly relevant to the realities of our business operations. Her ability to anticipate potential regulatory risks and suggest proactive, practical solutions helped us navigate complex situations with confidence. Her insights into subcontracting regulations, fair trade practices, and competition compliance significantly contributed to strengthening our internal systems and decision-making processes. Thanks to her guidance, we were able to manage sensitive business matters more effectively and minimise legal exposure in critical areas." 

Hyun Ah Song 

"She always provides positive speech and friendly answers." 

Jeong-Ho Sun 

"He understands even the most complex issues very well from the company’s perspective and always provides the best advice, which is why we keep turning to him. He has particularly strong insights into fair trade matters and is highly regarded in other areas of laws and regulations as well." 

"He has great expertise, is easy to communicate with, and has great relationships." 

"He has good communication with clients and expertise in competition law."