South Korea

Kim & Chang is the largest law firm in Korea, established in 1973. Headquartered in Seoul, the firm has 1,900 professionals with further offices in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. 

Highlights 

During the research period, the firm continued to be active in all practice areas including banking and finance, capital markets, M&A, private equity, restructuring and insolvency, and projects. 

The finance team was very busy with asset financing and project financing, as well as acquisition financing and other refinancing matters. The team regularly advises clients from domestic and overseas including the US, Canada, Germany, Ireland and China.  

In the equity capital market, the firm was particularly active in block trades and IPOs, advising issuers, sellers and placing agents. The firm was also active in connection with bond/note issuance and securities offerings by Korean companies in the overseas markets. 

The corporate team was preoccupied with handling transactions in relation to divestments. The firm continued to be active in providing legal advice in all aspects of domestic, cross-border, private and public M&A transactions, including joint ventures, for a broad client base including strategic investors, private equity funds and financial institutions. 

In the project area, the firm advised private sector sponsors, strategic and financial investors, state-owned entities, construction and engineering firms, and lenders on various energy, infrastructure and natural resource project development and project financing. 

Attorney Jin Woong Lee was recently welcomed as a new member of the firm's restructuring and insolvency team. 

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include Bain Capital, BNP Paribas, Citigroup Global Markets Korea Securities, Credit Suisse, Samsung AMC, SK Group, Hahn & Company, J.P. Morgan Securities, Goldman Sachs, Korea Housing Finance Corporation, KKR, and Korea Gas Corporation. 

Testimonials 

"Extensive experience and knowledge, awareness of the latest trends, a team-based approach, and not only legal advice but also practical guidance on how to respond." (Banking and finance client) 

"Kim & Chang has provided an excellent service by involving a wide group of experts from different sectors in a single project. They have plenty of experts in finance transaction, banking and foreign exchange regulations, and tax and work together." (Banking and finance client) 

“Professional, on-time delivery of high-quality legal advice.” (Private equity client) 

"They have set up good strategy, made wonderful documents and submissions, diligently defended our interest from plaintiffs' allegation." (Investment funds client) 

"I was satisfied with all of their services. The dedicated team, composed of specialists in their respective fields, provided prompt service and appropriate feedback tailored to the situation, which greatly helped our company's operations." (Financial restructuring client) 

"One-stop shop for everything legal, and beyond. Fast turnaround." (Project development client) 

"Very professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. They do an excellent job of explaining Korean requirements and the Korean market to non-Korean companies." (Project development client) 

"They are the top firm in Korea and have been able to provide insightful intelligence on market practice and regulations." (Project development client) 

Byung-Suk Chung  

"Delivering top-level service and strategic guidance through professionals recognized as among the best in the industry." 

Minyoung Oh  

"Understands the client's needs and does thorough work." 

Myung Jae Jung  

"Insightful advice." 

Min Chul Kim  

"He is an expert in financial transactions and outbound M&A. He has been involved in most of our company’s important finance deals since 2018 (including financing the acquisition of twelve (12) 23,000 TEU container ships, the largest vessels in the world) and due to his efforts and commitment, every deal has been completed successfully. In the above-mentioned deal, he worked every day during week-long holidays (Korean version of Thanksgiving Day) for the closing and we appreciated his responsibilities and dedication to the project." 

Hwal Sub Shim  

“He is the head of the team involved in our litigation. He has always given excellent solutions on any issue provided by the plaintiff. He conducted his team very reasonably and rapidly.” 

Young Min Lee  

"He has effectively coordinated to provide expertise, promptness, and appropriate feedback." 

Ken Nam  

"Responsive and knowledgeable." 

"Ken is an Australian-qualified lawyer working at a Korean law firm. He serves as both the relationship partner but also to ensure we get international quality of work, and he helps to liaise with his Korean colleagues on the advice sought."