2026 Edition
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Notable
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Notable
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Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Notable
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Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
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Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
BLP Law Offices is a boutique law firm founded by Dong Heon Chae and joined by Wonsik Yoon. They are former partners at major Korean law firms who each have over 30 years of practical experience and outstanding expertise. They founded the firm with the aim of delivering top-notch legal services to both domestic and international clients. Unlike larger law firms’ partners, they are hands-on throughout the entirety of the engagement, allowing them to consistently provide clients with high-touch premium services.
Client feedback
"The trust they have built in the minds of their customers." – Dispute resolution
Wonsik Yoon
" We have confidence in him."
Client feedback
"The trust they have built in the minds of their customers." – Dispute resolution
Wonsik Yoon
" We have confidence in him."
IP-focused firm Cho & Partners was established in 2002 by partners Tae-Yeon Cho and Ik-Hyun Seo. It is widely recognised in the market for its high-quality representation, particularly in trademark litigation matters. Although the firm, led by the two partners, is not large in size, it punches above its weight with a stellar roster of multinational and domestic clients across a broad spectrum of sectors. The firm has a diverse offering in all aspects of IP, from trademark and patent prosecution to anti-counterfeiting and copyright matters. It has recently been active in domain name disputes, with Cho acting as outside counsel for the Internet Address Domain Name Dispute Resolution Committee. Seo is a panellist for the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Established in 1997, Choi & Kim pioneered maritime law in South Korea, specialising in maritime, insurance and disputes. Having set the standard, the firm has built a reputation as a leader in the sector with clients including international oil pollution compensation funds, protection and indemnity clubs, and shipping companies. Choi & Kim's client base extends internationally, advising and representing companies like Maersk and CMA CGM on legal issues through litigation and arbitration. Given the number of maritime incidents under Seoul and Busan jurisdictions, the firm operates in both cities. Based in Seoul for more than 25 years, the firm expanded to Busan in 2023 to offer more efficient, affordable services for Busan cases.
D&A LLC is actively engaged in corporate and M&A matters, offering a range of legal services related to the establishment of domestic subsidiaries for foreign companies, joint ventures, branches and liaison offices, as well as handling foreign-exchange transactions. The firm is known for providing legal advice in a prompt and professional manner, catering to various needs, including the establishment of venture companies or IT firms within the high-tech sector, as well as facilitating listings on the Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (Kosdaq) trading board. The M&A practice is led by managing partner Dae Hui Kim, along with partners Kyeong Rok Jeong, Kyong Kook Kang and Jae Young Shin. Their collective experience and guidance contribute to the firm's M&A capabilities.
Client feedback
"The law firm is trustworthy." – Construction
Bo Hoon Kim
"Trust in this lawyer's abilities."
Client feedback
"The law firm is trustworthy." – Construction
Bo Hoon Kim
"Trust in this lawyer's abilities."
InterLEX provides corporate and litigation services related to labour and employment law. The firm has worked with various Korean government entities, including the Korea Industrial Technology Association and Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, providing legal guidance to IT companies such as Naver and Coupang and startups like Ongyeol and Dames. In collaborations, the firm assists numerous international clients across the US, Europe and China. With experience advising both local and global clients, InterLEX helps organisations address complex labour issues through customised, practical solutions based on Korean employment law. Key partners of significance at the firm include Hyunchai Isabelle Sohn and Eunzip Kwon.
Jipyong is a well-rounded firm that offers representation across all key practice areas and core industries. The firm’s labour and employment practice is highly regarded by peers and clients. Managing partner and labour specialist. 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
"The law firm excels in litigation and has a strong track record of winning cases. They are analytical, client-friendly, and always respond promptly, which leads to favourable outcomes." – Real estate
"The law firm has understanding of industry practices and knowledge." – Labour and employment
"Filing the joint operation agreement could include interpretation of the laws and persuasion of the government officers. Jipyong has done this job smoothly without any troubles with the government." – Shipping
"They provide correct advice for concerned parties to mitigate several disputes." – Real estate
"The law firm was highly responsive, client-oriented, and efficient in managing timelines. They also communicated effectively on the issues of greatest concern to the client." – Intellectual property
"This transaction involved complex regulatory considerations and extensive interactions with competition authorities. Despite the challenging nature of the matter, the team consistently provided sophisticated legal analysis, commercially practical advice, and strategic guidance tailored to the unique circumstances of the transaction. Their deep understanding of both the legal and business aspects of the deal proved invaluable in navigating a highly complex regulatory environment." – Competition/antitrust
"Jipyong genuinely excels in three key areas:
Practical Regulatory Integration: They have a remarkable ability to align strict statutory regulations with commercial reality. This was clearly demonstrated during our collaboration on establishing standard contracts compliant with the Large-Value Retail Business Act, where they successfully created a legally robust yet operationable framework for our business.
Analytical Rigor and Risk Mitigation: Jipyong does not just identify risks; they provide clear, pre-emptive strategic guidance to resolve them. Their attention to detail and sharp legal logic give us great confidence.
Client-Centric Responsiveness: Their lawyers are exceptionally accessible and collaborative. They maintain seamless communication and consistently meet challenging deadlines, demonstrating a strong dedication to the client’s success." – Competition/antitrust
"Their attitude and kindness were really memorable." – Insurance
"They could provide clear answers supported by substantial evidence." – Labour and employment
"The practical and readily applicable advice provided was highly beneficial to the business teams and greatly assisted them in their day-to-day operations." – Competition/antitrust
"The law firm is excellent at tracking case progress and highly focused on key priorities." – Dispute resolution
"Antitrust involves a great many factors to consider, and experience is crucial in terms of investigation. Jipyong provides practical advice based on extensive experience." – Competition/antitrust
"Jipyong has a strong understanding of our industry and business operations, which allows them to offer tailor-made and commercially sensible advice. They are good at combining legal analysis with strategic recommendations that support our long‑term objectives." – Dispute resolution
"Professional legal counseling and excellent litigation success rates." – Insurance
"Provides appropriate advice on the challenges of conducting Russia-related business as a Korean company." – Corporate and M&A
Seongcheol Park
"Seongcheol won the case in litigation and is kind, professional, prompt, and precise."
Yong Moon Kim
"Service-oriented mindset."
“Provided clear answers supported by substantial evidence.”
“Always provides clients with the best solutions with confidence.”
Choon Won Lee
"Very good at shipping and corporate issues."
Yi Tae Kim
"The lawyer saved the deal."
Jeong Kyu Choe
"The lawyer is very practical and proactive in handling matters. Rather than approaching issues only from a legal perspective, they also considered the company’s business needs and proposed commercially workable solutions efficiently. In addition, they collaborated well with internal teams and adapted smoothly to changing circumstances and tight timelines, which made the overall process much easier to manage."
Byung Joo Lee
"He combines exceptional legal expertise with a strong understanding of commercial and regulatory realities. During our investment in the acquisition of Asiana Airlines’ Cargo Business, he demonstrated deep knowledge of merger control and competition law while maintaining a practical, solution-oriented approach throughout the transaction.
He is particularly effective in managing complex interactions with regulatory authorities. His ability to articulate the client's position clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at both the working and decision-making levels was instrumental in achieving the desired outcome. In addition, he consistently identified potential risks and key issues before they became significant challenges, providing thoughtful and actionable advice that strengthened our overall strategy.
What distinguishes Byung Joo is his responsiveness, strategic judgment, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for the client. He combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and is someone we trust with our most important and high stakes matters."
“He accurately identifies clients' needs and provides tailored advice that is well suited to their specific circumstances.”
Jong Heo
“Excellent at grasping the entire case and executing effective responses.”
Poom Jang
“We have close communication.”
Jun Hee Seo
“She is highly knowledgeable and demonstrates a strong understanding of the legal issues relevant to our business. She is thorough in her analysis and always provides clear, well-structured advice. The lawyer’s responsiveness and proactive communication make it easy for us to work with her, and we particularly appreciate her ability to explain complex legal matters in a practical and straightforward manner.”
Seong Jin Bae
“He accurately grasps complex issues related to general insurance and damage assessments, providing optimal solutions based on clear legal logic.”
Client feedback
"The law firm excels in litigation and has a strong track record of winning cases. They are analytical, client-friendly, and always respond promptly, which leads to favourable outcomes." – Real estate
"The law firm has understanding of industry practices and knowledge." – Labour and employment
"Filing the joint operation agreement could include interpretation of the laws and persuasion of the government officers. Jipyong has done this job smoothly without any troubles with the government." – Shipping
"They provide correct advice for concerned parties to mitigate several disputes." – Real estate
"The law firm was highly responsive, client-oriented, and efficient in managing timelines. They also communicated effectively on the issues of greatest concern to the client." – Intellectual property
"This transaction involved complex regulatory considerations and extensive interactions with competition authorities. Despite the challenging nature of the matter, the team consistently provided sophisticated legal analysis, commercially practical advice, and strategic guidance tailored to the unique circumstances of the transaction. Their deep understanding of both the legal and business aspects of the deal proved invaluable in navigating a highly complex regulatory environment." – Competition/antitrust
"Jipyong genuinely excels in three key areas:
Practical Regulatory Integration: They have a remarkable ability to align strict statutory regulations with commercial reality. This was clearly demonstrated during our collaboration on establishing standard contracts compliant with the Large-Value Retail Business Act, where they successfully created a legally robust yet operationable framework for our business.
Analytical Rigor and Risk Mitigation: Jipyong does not just identify risks; they provide clear, pre-emptive strategic guidance to resolve them. Their attention to detail and sharp legal logic give us great confidence.
Client-Centric Responsiveness: Their lawyers are exceptionally accessible and collaborative. They maintain seamless communication and consistently meet challenging deadlines, demonstrating a strong dedication to the client’s success." – Competition/antitrust
"Their attitude and kindness were really memorable." – Insurance
"They could provide clear answers supported by substantial evidence." – Labour and employment
"The practical and readily applicable advice provided was highly beneficial to the business teams and greatly assisted them in their day-to-day operations." – Competition/antitrust
"The law firm is excellent at tracking case progress and highly focused on key priorities." – Dispute resolution
"Antitrust involves a great many factors to consider, and experience is crucial in terms of investigation. Jipyong provides practical advice based on extensive experience." – Competition/antitrust
"Jipyong has a strong understanding of our industry and business operations, which allows them to offer tailor-made and commercially sensible advice. They are good at combining legal analysis with strategic recommendations that support our long‑term objectives." – Dispute resolution
"Professional legal counseling and excellent litigation success rates." – Insurance
"Provides appropriate advice on the challenges of conducting Russia-related business as a Korean company." – Corporate and M&A
Seongcheol Park
"Seongcheol won the case in litigation and is kind, professional, prompt, and precise."
Yong Moon Kim
"Service-oriented mindset."
“Provided clear answers supported by substantial evidence.”
“Always provides clients with the best solutions with confidence.”
Choon Won Lee
"Very good at shipping and corporate issues."
Yi Tae Kim
"The lawyer saved the deal."
Jeong Kyu Choe
"The lawyer is very practical and proactive in handling matters. Rather than approaching issues only from a legal perspective, they also considered the company’s business needs and proposed commercially workable solutions efficiently. In addition, they collaborated well with internal teams and adapted smoothly to changing circumstances and tight timelines, which made the overall process much easier to manage."
Byung Joo Lee
"He combines exceptional legal expertise with a strong understanding of commercial and regulatory realities. During our investment in the acquisition of Asiana Airlines’ Cargo Business, he demonstrated deep knowledge of merger control and competition law while maintaining a practical, solution-oriented approach throughout the transaction.
He is particularly effective in managing complex interactions with regulatory authorities. His ability to articulate the client's position clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at both the working and decision-making levels was instrumental in achieving the desired outcome. In addition, he consistently identified potential risks and key issues before they became significant challenges, providing thoughtful and actionable advice that strengthened our overall strategy.
What distinguishes Byung Joo is his responsiveness, strategic judgment, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for the client. He combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and is someone we trust with our most important and high stakes matters."
“He accurately identifies clients' needs and provides tailored advice that is well suited to their specific circumstances.”
Jong Heo
“Excellent at grasping the entire case and executing effective responses.”
Poom Jang
“We have close communication.”
Jun Hee Seo
“She is highly knowledgeable and demonstrates a strong understanding of the legal issues relevant to our business. She is thorough in her analysis and always provides clear, well-structured advice. The lawyer’s responsiveness and proactive communication make it easy for us to work with her, and we particularly appreciate her ability to explain complex legal matters in a practical and straightforward manner.”
Seong Jin Bae
“He accurately grasps complex issues related to general insurance and damage assessments, providing optimal solutions based on clear legal logic.”
Kim & Chang, Korea's largest and most dominant full-service law firm, remains unchallenged across the board, maintaining its 'Outstanding' ranking in all practice areas and sectors. As the first choice for many multinationals, international brands and domestic conglomerates, the firm's vast size enables it to house top-notch specialists in every niche area of practice. This breadth of expertise allows Kim & Chang to push the boundaries of innovation, handling landmark and sizeable matters with ease. The firm's litigation practice group stands out as a prime example of this excellence, leading the field in Korea with its outstanding problem-solving skills and winning track record. This team excels in a wide range of litigations, from general civil, criminal and administrative cases to specialised commercial disputes in areas such as M&A, banking, securities, insurance, anti-competition, intellectual property, and white-collar crimes.
Client feedback
"Very professional collaboration and pro-active communication. Comprehensive/thorough approach. Deep knowledge of the matter. Good leverage of their extensive network." – Tax
Kenny Sung
"Deep knowledge of his jurisdiction, proactive communication with MB Korea and our HQ in Stuttgart/Germany, thorough preparation and execution, excellent use of Kim & Chang knowledge and the expert pool, and very approachable. It's a real pleasure working with Kenny."
Client feedback
"Very professional collaboration and pro-active communication. Comprehensive/thorough approach. Deep knowledge of the matter. Good leverage of their extensive network." – Tax
Kenny Sung
"Deep knowledge of his jurisdiction, proactive communication with MB Korea and our HQ in Stuttgart/Germany, thorough preparation and execution, excellent use of Kim & Chang knowledge and the expert pool, and very approachable. It's a real pleasure working with Kenny."
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. 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
"Accurately understand the context of the case, thoroughly analyse the evidence, and have strong legal logic." - Competition/antitrust
"Deep understanding of the business and excellent and frank communication skills." -Competition/antitrust
"One of Lee & Ko’s greatest strengths is its ability to understand the client’s business and provide advice that is both legally sound and commercially practical. Rather than focusing solely on legal theory, the firm consistently takes into account the broader business implications of its recommendations, which makes its advice particularly valuable.
The firm also excels in communication and client service. The team is accessible, responsive, and proactive in keeping clients informed of important developments. Complex issues are explained in a clear and concise manner, allowing management to quickly understand risks and make informed decisions.
Another notable strength is the firm's ability to coordinate multidisciplinary expertise when required. Whether legal, regulatory, technical, or commercial issues are involved, Lee & Ko is able to assemble the right team and provide seamless support. This integrated approach improves efficiency and helps clients address complex matters more effectively.
In our experience, Lee & Ko combines strong technical capability with a practical, solution-orientated mindset, making them a trusted advisor for significant and challenging matters.” - Construction
"They possess not only outstanding legal expertise but also a significantly higher understanding of the construction industry compared to other law firms. Consequently, they are able to communicate quickly and in-depth regarding the various issues arising in the construction industry, thereby presenting the most effective solutions." - Construction
"Thorough legal review and prompt feedback." – Corporate and M&A
"Lee & Ko is very knowledgeable on the subject matter and related laws and regulations. What I meant by 'knowledgeable' does not mean that they know the law, but rather that they truly understand how the laws operate and are interpreted when conflicts or risk events occur. Lee & Ko effectively advise on the risk type and profile so that we can make the right decision on the level of risk we are taking for the business. Also, I appreciate that their advice is always based on strong legal principles and legal precedents which make us comfortable in taking their legal advice." - Corporate and M&A
"In-depth legal expertise." - Corporate and M&A
"Lee & Ko consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism, technical expertise, and commercial awareness. The firm combines deep knowledge of Korean law with a strong understanding of international business and dispute resolution practices. The team is responsive, pragmatic, and solution-orientated, providing advice that is both legally sound and commercially practical. Particularly noteworthy are the firm's ability to manage complex matters efficiently, coordinate seamlessly across practice groups, and communicate clearly with clients. The lawyers are proactive in identifying issues, responsive to urgent requests, and effective at explaining sophisticated legal concepts in a practical and accessible manner. Their commitment to client service and their strong understanding of our business objectives distinguish them from many other firms.” - Dispute resolution
"Lee & Ko has the best knowledge about trade insurance, and we always respect Lee & Ko's opinions. And also, Lee & Ko has excellent staff and attorneys to support/manage legal issues and litigations when the issues become disputes." - Insurance
"Regarding the review of the reinsurance contract, Lee & Ko did not only thoroughly review the provisions of the contract but also gave opinions on the terms and conditions of the contract, especially in comparison with other companies' reinsurance contracts." - Insurance
"In-depth knowledge and experience with the insurance sector." - Insurance
"Lee & Ko is highly responsive, provides clear and practical advice tailored to our business, and demonstrates strong expertise in trademarks, designs, and unfair competition matters." - Intellectual property
"Lee & Ko has a strong understanding of what matters from an investor’s perspective and what key issues drive investment decisions. They are able to focus their advice on the points that are most relevant for commercial and strategic decision-making." - Investment funds
"Lee & Ko demonstrates strong expertise in cross-border real estate transactions, particularly in structuring complex investments across multiple jurisdictions. They stand out for their ability to advise on intricate legal, regulatory, and tax matters, including fund and SPV structuring, jurisdiction-specific requirements, and cross-border tax considerations.
Throughout the transaction process, they provide clear, practical, and actionable guidance, supporting legal due diligence, as well as the drafting and negotiation of key transaction documents. The team is proactive, responsive, and highly detail-orientated, with a strong commercial mindset that ensures legal solutions are aligned with our investment objectives while facilitating efficient execution and effectively managing legal and regulatory risks.” - Investment funds
"Lee & Ko is an exceptionally reliable legal partner. Their key strengths are:
Seamless Teamwork: They provide efficient, one-stop solutions across different legal departments.
Strong Litigation: They have a highly experienced team that delivers excellent results in disputes.
Practical Advice: They offer clear, actionable guidance, especially in data privacy and labour issues.
Complex Problem Solving: They are highly effective at handling difficult corporate challenges.” - Labour and employment
"Lee & Ko always prioritises our needs and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier legal counsel in every assigned matter." - Labour and employment
"Offered counsel from both legal and business perspectives and delivered timely advice.” - Labour and employment
"They can meet deadline and give practical alternative options." - Labour and employment
“Highly attentive to client needs and able to show expertise in all related fields of advisory.” - Real estate
"Compared to other firms or teams, their members tend to stay longer, so they retain a clear record of the fund’s long-term history and provide comprehensive and practical advice tailored to that over the full life of the fund." - Real estate
"Lee & Ko has numerous lawyers, accountants, and experts in related fields, and our professionals do their best for clients in their respective areas." - Real estate
"Ability to draft documents quickly and accurately, a long-standing team that works together without turnover, and reasonable legal fees." - Regulatory
"They provide professional and practical advice.” - Shipping
“Lee & Ko demonstrates deep expertise in ship finance and financial structuring, coupled with excellent execution and highly effective handling of complex transactions.” - Shipping
"Responding to transfer pricing through close communication with the region office and responding to tax audits through skilled partners, managers and assistants." – Tax
"Lee & Ko is a top-tier Korean law firm highly recognised for its elite tax expertise and deep regulatory insights. They excel in VAT proxy-payment rectification claims by securing major tax refunds through flawless statutory interpretation and strong economic substantiation. Furthermore, they provide world-class transfer pricing (TP) documentation that effectively minimises audit risks." - Tax
"Lee & Ko consistently approaches matters from the client’s perspective and demonstrates a high level of commitment. This client-orientated mindset is, in my view, the key reason we continue to place our trust in the firm and entrust it with important work. While Lee & Ko is well-rounded across practice areas, it delivers particularly outstanding results in intellectual property and tax matters." - Tax
“As a premier, top-tier law firm, Lee & Ko excels exceptionally well in navigating South Korea’s tightening regulatory environment, particularly under the Subcontract Act. They provide flawless contract reviews, robust KFTC defence strategies, and proactive risk management tailored perfectly to the complex dynamics of multi-vendor IT/SI projects. Their swift, meticulous legal counsel makes them an indispensable strategic partner in ensuring our compliance and protecting our business operations.” - Technology and telecommunications
Sae Ho Ahn
"Sae Ho has a strong understanding of what matters from an investor’s perspective and which issues are most important for decision-making. His advice is practical, commercially focused, and well aligned with the client’s priorities."
Sunghee Chae
"Diligent and highly professional, they strive to provide realistic and constructive solutions by fully considering the client's needs."
Sundo Choi
"They are incredibly diligent, meticulous, and highly responsible. As the project extended beyond the original timeline, new points requiring feedback continued to arise, yet they willingly provided everything needed."
Jin Soo Han
"Based on his extensive experience as a former judge, he has a deep understanding of legal principles across diverse areas and actively proposes practical solutions."
Sanghoon Han
"Sanghoon is an exceptionally skilled international arbitration lawyer who combines deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of the commercial and technical realities of complex construction and infrastructure projects. He consistently provides practical, business-orientated advice rather than purely theoretical legal analysis, enabling clients to make informed decisions in high-stakes situations.
His strengths include strategic thinking, thorough preparation, and the ability to identify key issues quickly and efficiently. He has a sophisticated understanding of international arbitration procedures and construction disputes, and he is particularly effective at developing persuasive case strategies, managing complex factual and technical issues, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders across different jurisdictions.
In addition, Sanghoon is highly responsive, dependable, and client focused. He communicates clearly, remains calm under pressure, and can explain complicated legal matters in a practical and accessible manner. His dedication, professionalism, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for clients make him a trusted advisor and an invaluable member of any dispute resolution team."
Byung Tak Hwang
"He has deep and comprehensive expertise in all aspects of ship finance, particularly in complex financing structures, and consistently delivers innovative and practical solutions. Among the ship finance lawyers I have worked with, he is the most trustworthy and dependable professional."
Chang Soo Jin
"They are highly knowledgeable in the law and skilled at explaining neutral, unbiased options clearly, helping us make well-informed decisions."
Yikang Kang
"Yikang Kang is one of the most promising rising-star lawyers under the age of 40. She demonstrates exceptional enthusiasm as well as strong and highly professional expertise in her core practice area of intellectual property. She is also a qualified patent attorney in Korea and has handled numerous complex legal matters and litigations.
Her meticulous approach enables her to identify potential issues that may not be readily apparent to the client. Thanks to her dedication and attention to detail, I was able to manage the project smoothly and with confidence."
Jee In Kim
"Highly knowledgeable in the respective field and accessible in communication."
"She has a strong understanding of the client’s situation and specific needs, and senior-level members are consistently involved. She provides comprehensive and practical advice tailored to that over the full life of the fund in a very responsible manner."
"Jee In demonstrates deep technical expertise in cross-border real estate transactions, particularly in advising on complex structuring, legal, and regulatory matters. She is highly responsive, proactive, and detail-orientated, consistently providing clear and actionable advice. In addition, they exhibit a strong commercial understanding, ensuring that legal solutions are practical and aligned with our investment objectives, while supporting efficient execution and effective risk management."
Steve Minhoo Kim
"Achieved the desired outcome through close communication with the Region Office, and professional knowledge was utilised to address the investigator's requirements regarding any areas of improvement."
"Steve Minhoo Kim is a highly skilled legal professional recognised for his exceptional expertise in international tax and transfer pricing. He excels at successfully defending multinational clients in complex tax and resolving high-stakes cross-border disputes. Additionally, his strong strategic leadership and clear communication make him a highly trusted advisor for foreign-invested enterprises."
Sae Um Kim
"She has expertise in work, provides very meticulous and quick legal advice, and advises on unquestioned but possible issues."
Seon-Tae Kim
"Attorney Seontae possesses the highest level of expertise in the fields of real estate construction and development in Korea. Through this knowledge, he provides the best legal services for the legal disputes facing our company."
"Clear, practical legal advice."
So Young Kim
"Transparent communication."
Un Ho Kim
"Un Ho Kim is highly responsive, business‑minded, and provides clear, practical advice that is easy for internal stakeholders to act on. He communicates complex IP issues in an organised way."
Jin Hong Kwon
"Jin Hong demonstrates a strong ability to understand and anticipate client needs, providing practical and well-tailored advice. He communicates clearly, responds promptly, and consistently delivers high-quality work."
Miji Lee
"Miji’s greatest attributes lie in her profound understanding of the IT and tech-driven industry, combined with an acute grasp of our specific corporate structure and operational dynamics. Drawing upon her extensive legal experience, she consistently delivers highly customised, practical solutions that address our core business challenges. What truly sets Miji apart is her impeccable timing; she anticipates regulatory and compliance risks well in advance, providing decisive and strategic counsel exactly when the company needs it most to secure a competitive edge."
Sejoong Lee
"He always does his best to meet the client objective rather than simply providing legal advice. This makes the deal process very enjoyable."
San Ha Na
"Based on his deep understanding of the construction industry, he always communicates actively with clients, precisely grasps the issues without requiring separate explanations, and provides the best solutions."
Kwang Bae Park
"Client-friendliness, flexibility, responsiveness and network."
Chang Ho Seong
"Chang Ho is an exceptional litigation leader. His key positive attributes and strengths include:
Strategic Vision: He excels at seeing the big picture in complex disputes and consistently crafts highly effective, winning strategies.
Strong Courtroom Presence: He commands immense respect in court and demonstrates outstanding advocacy and persuasion skills before judges.
Client-Centric Communication: He is brilliant at breaking down complicated legal risks into clear, actionable, and business-friendly advice.
Effective Leadership: As a team leader, he seamlessly coordinates Lee & Ko's extensive litigation resources to deliver swift and powerful results."
"He is trying to think from the customer's point of view and come up with a solution."
Hyunseok Song
"Accurately identifies legal issues and proposes practical solutions and communicates effectively.”
Jeong-Ho Sun
"Extensive experience.”
"Deep knowledge of the regulations and industry & swift responses."
Jang Hee Yoon
"Jang Hee is a highly capable and reliable lawyer with strong expertise in handling complex disputes. He demonstrates excellent legal analytical skills and is able to quickly grasp both the legal and factual issues of a case, even in highly technical and document-heavy matters.
One of his key strengths is his ability to combine legal precision with practical, commercially sensible advice. He consistently provides clear and well-structured guidance, which helps clients make informed decisions in a timely manner.
He is also very responsive and proactive in managing the case, ensuring that deadlines are met and that key developments are communicated effectively. His calm and focused approach under pressure is particularly valuable in contentious proceedings.
Overall, Jang Hee is a trusted counsel who delivers high-quality legal work with strong attention to detail and a clear understanding of client needs.”
Young Ho Yoon
"He is sincere in his work and kind to clients. He is one of the most competent and versatile lawyers I have ever met and has the best attitudes."
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
"Accurately understand the context of the case, thoroughly analyse the evidence, and have strong legal logic." - Competition/antitrust
"Deep understanding of the business and excellent and frank communication skills." -Competition/antitrust
"One of Lee & Ko’s greatest strengths is its ability to understand the client’s business and provide advice that is both legally sound and commercially practical. Rather than focusing solely on legal theory, the firm consistently takes into account the broader business implications of its recommendations, which makes its advice particularly valuable.
The firm also excels in communication and client service. The team is accessible, responsive, and proactive in keeping clients informed of important developments. Complex issues are explained in a clear and concise manner, allowing management to quickly understand risks and make informed decisions.
Another notable strength is the firm's ability to coordinate multidisciplinary expertise when required. Whether legal, regulatory, technical, or commercial issues are involved, Lee & Ko is able to assemble the right team and provide seamless support. This integrated approach improves efficiency and helps clients address complex matters more effectively.
In our experience, Lee & Ko combines strong technical capability with a practical, solution-orientated mindset, making them a trusted advisor for significant and challenging matters.” - Construction
"They possess not only outstanding legal expertise but also a significantly higher understanding of the construction industry compared to other law firms. Consequently, they are able to communicate quickly and in-depth regarding the various issues arising in the construction industry, thereby presenting the most effective solutions." - Construction
"Thorough legal review and prompt feedback." – Corporate and M&A
"Lee & Ko is very knowledgeable on the subject matter and related laws and regulations. What I meant by 'knowledgeable' does not mean that they know the law, but rather that they truly understand how the laws operate and are interpreted when conflicts or risk events occur. Lee & Ko effectively advise on the risk type and profile so that we can make the right decision on the level of risk we are taking for the business. Also, I appreciate that their advice is always based on strong legal principles and legal precedents which make us comfortable in taking their legal advice." - Corporate and M&A
"In-depth legal expertise." - Corporate and M&A
"Lee & Ko consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism, technical expertise, and commercial awareness. The firm combines deep knowledge of Korean law with a strong understanding of international business and dispute resolution practices. The team is responsive, pragmatic, and solution-orientated, providing advice that is both legally sound and commercially practical. Particularly noteworthy are the firm's ability to manage complex matters efficiently, coordinate seamlessly across practice groups, and communicate clearly with clients. The lawyers are proactive in identifying issues, responsive to urgent requests, and effective at explaining sophisticated legal concepts in a practical and accessible manner. Their commitment to client service and their strong understanding of our business objectives distinguish them from many other firms.” - Dispute resolution
"Lee & Ko has the best knowledge about trade insurance, and we always respect Lee & Ko's opinions. And also, Lee & Ko has excellent staff and attorneys to support/manage legal issues and litigations when the issues become disputes." - Insurance
"Regarding the review of the reinsurance contract, Lee & Ko did not only thoroughly review the provisions of the contract but also gave opinions on the terms and conditions of the contract, especially in comparison with other companies' reinsurance contracts." - Insurance
"In-depth knowledge and experience with the insurance sector." - Insurance
"Lee & Ko is highly responsive, provides clear and practical advice tailored to our business, and demonstrates strong expertise in trademarks, designs, and unfair competition matters." - Intellectual property
"Lee & Ko has a strong understanding of what matters from an investor’s perspective and what key issues drive investment decisions. They are able to focus their advice on the points that are most relevant for commercial and strategic decision-making." - Investment funds
"Lee & Ko demonstrates strong expertise in cross-border real estate transactions, particularly in structuring complex investments across multiple jurisdictions. They stand out for their ability to advise on intricate legal, regulatory, and tax matters, including fund and SPV structuring, jurisdiction-specific requirements, and cross-border tax considerations.
Throughout the transaction process, they provide clear, practical, and actionable guidance, supporting legal due diligence, as well as the drafting and negotiation of key transaction documents. The team is proactive, responsive, and highly detail-orientated, with a strong commercial mindset that ensures legal solutions are aligned with our investment objectives while facilitating efficient execution and effectively managing legal and regulatory risks.” - Investment funds
"Lee & Ko is an exceptionally reliable legal partner. Their key strengths are:
Seamless Teamwork: They provide efficient, one-stop solutions across different legal departments.
Strong Litigation: They have a highly experienced team that delivers excellent results in disputes.
Practical Advice: They offer clear, actionable guidance, especially in data privacy and labour issues.
Complex Problem Solving: They are highly effective at handling difficult corporate challenges.” - Labour and employment
"Lee & Ko always prioritises our needs and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier legal counsel in every assigned matter." - Labour and employment
"Offered counsel from both legal and business perspectives and delivered timely advice.” - Labour and employment
"They can meet deadline and give practical alternative options." - Labour and employment
“Highly attentive to client needs and able to show expertise in all related fields of advisory.” - Real estate
"Compared to other firms or teams, their members tend to stay longer, so they retain a clear record of the fund’s long-term history and provide comprehensive and practical advice tailored to that over the full life of the fund." - Real estate
"Lee & Ko has numerous lawyers, accountants, and experts in related fields, and our professionals do their best for clients in their respective areas." - Real estate
"Ability to draft documents quickly and accurately, a long-standing team that works together without turnover, and reasonable legal fees." - Regulatory
"They provide professional and practical advice.” - Shipping
“Lee & Ko demonstrates deep expertise in ship finance and financial structuring, coupled with excellent execution and highly effective handling of complex transactions.” - Shipping
"Responding to transfer pricing through close communication with the region office and responding to tax audits through skilled partners, managers and assistants." – Tax
"Lee & Ko is a top-tier Korean law firm highly recognised for its elite tax expertise and deep regulatory insights. They excel in VAT proxy-payment rectification claims by securing major tax refunds through flawless statutory interpretation and strong economic substantiation. Furthermore, they provide world-class transfer pricing (TP) documentation that effectively minimises audit risks." - Tax
"Lee & Ko consistently approaches matters from the client’s perspective and demonstrates a high level of commitment. This client-orientated mindset is, in my view, the key reason we continue to place our trust in the firm and entrust it with important work. While Lee & Ko is well-rounded across practice areas, it delivers particularly outstanding results in intellectual property and tax matters." - Tax
“As a premier, top-tier law firm, Lee & Ko excels exceptionally well in navigating South Korea’s tightening regulatory environment, particularly under the Subcontract Act. They provide flawless contract reviews, robust KFTC defence strategies, and proactive risk management tailored perfectly to the complex dynamics of multi-vendor IT/SI projects. Their swift, meticulous legal counsel makes them an indispensable strategic partner in ensuring our compliance and protecting our business operations.” - Technology and telecommunications
Sae Ho Ahn
"Sae Ho has a strong understanding of what matters from an investor’s perspective and which issues are most important for decision-making. His advice is practical, commercially focused, and well aligned with the client’s priorities."
Sunghee Chae
"Diligent and highly professional, they strive to provide realistic and constructive solutions by fully considering the client's needs."
Sundo Choi
"They are incredibly diligent, meticulous, and highly responsible. As the project extended beyond the original timeline, new points requiring feedback continued to arise, yet they willingly provided everything needed."
Jin Soo Han
"Based on his extensive experience as a former judge, he has a deep understanding of legal principles across diverse areas and actively proposes practical solutions."
Sanghoon Han
"Sanghoon is an exceptionally skilled international arbitration lawyer who combines deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of the commercial and technical realities of complex construction and infrastructure projects. He consistently provides practical, business-orientated advice rather than purely theoretical legal analysis, enabling clients to make informed decisions in high-stakes situations.
His strengths include strategic thinking, thorough preparation, and the ability to identify key issues quickly and efficiently. He has a sophisticated understanding of international arbitration procedures and construction disputes, and he is particularly effective at developing persuasive case strategies, managing complex factual and technical issues, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders across different jurisdictions.
In addition, Sanghoon is highly responsive, dependable, and client focused. He communicates clearly, remains calm under pressure, and can explain complicated legal matters in a practical and accessible manner. His dedication, professionalism, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for clients make him a trusted advisor and an invaluable member of any dispute resolution team."
Byung Tak Hwang
"He has deep and comprehensive expertise in all aspects of ship finance, particularly in complex financing structures, and consistently delivers innovative and practical solutions. Among the ship finance lawyers I have worked with, he is the most trustworthy and dependable professional."
Chang Soo Jin
"They are highly knowledgeable in the law and skilled at explaining neutral, unbiased options clearly, helping us make well-informed decisions."
Yikang Kang
"Yikang Kang is one of the most promising rising-star lawyers under the age of 40. She demonstrates exceptional enthusiasm as well as strong and highly professional expertise in her core practice area of intellectual property. She is also a qualified patent attorney in Korea and has handled numerous complex legal matters and litigations.
Her meticulous approach enables her to identify potential issues that may not be readily apparent to the client. Thanks to her dedication and attention to detail, I was able to manage the project smoothly and with confidence."
Jee In Kim
"Highly knowledgeable in the respective field and accessible in communication."
"She has a strong understanding of the client’s situation and specific needs, and senior-level members are consistently involved. She provides comprehensive and practical advice tailored to that over the full life of the fund in a very responsible manner."
"Jee In demonstrates deep technical expertise in cross-border real estate transactions, particularly in advising on complex structuring, legal, and regulatory matters. She is highly responsive, proactive, and detail-orientated, consistently providing clear and actionable advice. In addition, they exhibit a strong commercial understanding, ensuring that legal solutions are practical and aligned with our investment objectives, while supporting efficient execution and effective risk management."
Steve Minhoo Kim
"Achieved the desired outcome through close communication with the Region Office, and professional knowledge was utilised to address the investigator's requirements regarding any areas of improvement."
"Steve Minhoo Kim is a highly skilled legal professional recognised for his exceptional expertise in international tax and transfer pricing. He excels at successfully defending multinational clients in complex tax and resolving high-stakes cross-border disputes. Additionally, his strong strategic leadership and clear communication make him a highly trusted advisor for foreign-invested enterprises."
Sae Um Kim
"She has expertise in work, provides very meticulous and quick legal advice, and advises on unquestioned but possible issues."
Seon-Tae Kim
"Attorney Seontae possesses the highest level of expertise in the fields of real estate construction and development in Korea. Through this knowledge, he provides the best legal services for the legal disputes facing our company."
"Clear, practical legal advice."
So Young Kim
"Transparent communication."
Un Ho Kim
"Un Ho Kim is highly responsive, business‑minded, and provides clear, practical advice that is easy for internal stakeholders to act on. He communicates complex IP issues in an organised way."
Jin Hong Kwon
"Jin Hong demonstrates a strong ability to understand and anticipate client needs, providing practical and well-tailored advice. He communicates clearly, responds promptly, and consistently delivers high-quality work."
Miji Lee
"Miji’s greatest attributes lie in her profound understanding of the IT and tech-driven industry, combined with an acute grasp of our specific corporate structure and operational dynamics. Drawing upon her extensive legal experience, she consistently delivers highly customised, practical solutions that address our core business challenges. What truly sets Miji apart is her impeccable timing; she anticipates regulatory and compliance risks well in advance, providing decisive and strategic counsel exactly when the company needs it most to secure a competitive edge."
Sejoong Lee
"He always does his best to meet the client objective rather than simply providing legal advice. This makes the deal process very enjoyable."
San Ha Na
"Based on his deep understanding of the construction industry, he always communicates actively with clients, precisely grasps the issues without requiring separate explanations, and provides the best solutions."
Kwang Bae Park
"Client-friendliness, flexibility, responsiveness and network."
Chang Ho Seong
"Chang Ho is an exceptional litigation leader. His key positive attributes and strengths include:
Strategic Vision: He excels at seeing the big picture in complex disputes and consistently crafts highly effective, winning strategies.
Strong Courtroom Presence: He commands immense respect in court and demonstrates outstanding advocacy and persuasion skills before judges.
Client-Centric Communication: He is brilliant at breaking down complicated legal risks into clear, actionable, and business-friendly advice.
Effective Leadership: As a team leader, he seamlessly coordinates Lee & Ko's extensive litigation resources to deliver swift and powerful results."
"He is trying to think from the customer's point of view and come up with a solution."
Hyunseok Song
"Accurately identifies legal issues and proposes practical solutions and communicates effectively.”
Jeong-Ho Sun
"Extensive experience.”
"Deep knowledge of the regulations and industry & swift responses."
Jang Hee Yoon
"Jang Hee is a highly capable and reliable lawyer with strong expertise in handling complex disputes. He demonstrates excellent legal analytical skills and is able to quickly grasp both the legal and factual issues of a case, even in highly technical and document-heavy matters.
One of his key strengths is his ability to combine legal precision with practical, commercially sensible advice. He consistently provides clear and well-structured guidance, which helps clients make informed decisions in a timely manner.
He is also very responsive and proactive in managing the case, ensuring that deadlines are met and that key developments are communicated effectively. His calm and focused approach under pressure is particularly valuable in contentious proceedings.
Overall, Jang Hee is a trusted counsel who delivers high-quality legal work with strong attention to detail and a clear understanding of client needs.”
Young Ho Yoon
"He is sincere in his work and kind to clients. He is one of the most competent and versatile lawyers I have ever met and has the best attitudes."
Yulchon secures its place in the ‘Outstanding’ band for competition, dispute resolution, M&A, private equity and tax this year. Its famed dispute resolution practice has more than 250 professionals and keeps apace with an evolving market, creating new disputes practice areas that are novel and innovative.
The firm has strategically bolstered its team through key hires across various practice areas. The competition/antitrust practice has been particularly active in recruitment, welcoming Genny S Kim from Jipyong as a partner. However, the practice also saw the departures of Hyo Sung Kim in June 2024.
The dispute resolution practice underwent substantial growth, welcoming three new partners including Jinsub Kim from Samsung C&T legal team dispute resolution TF, Shi Won Lee from a role as Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline, and Jae Hwan Shin from National Court Administration. Two partners departed – Rak Hyun Kim to SK Group and Jae Eok Park.
In the tax practice, Yulchon made strategic hires including Kwang Lae Cho from the Tax Tribunal, Jung Wook Jun from Samsung Life Insurance, and Se Bin Lee from Supreme Court of Korea.
Client feedback
"They provide prompt and accurate responses." - Banking and finance
"Yulchon is very attentive and quick on response." - Capital markets
"Extensive professional network and project experience." - Construction
“They excel in each field and provide exactly the services customers want.” - Construction
"In-depth professional knowledge and prompt response." - Corporate and M&A
"As a full-service law firm, they provide comprehensive advice on JV governance, key issues in supply contracts, IP issues in licensing agreements, and export approvals." - Corporate and M&A
"Consistently handling everything in M&A from business structure and contracts through to post-merger integration." - Corporate and M&A
"One of Yulchon’s greatest strengths is its extensive pool of experts across diverse fields, allowing the firm to provide a broad range of advisory services backed by exceptional professional expertise." - Corporate and M&A
"Attention to detail and speed." - Corporate and M&A
"Yulchon is definitely my go-to firm for complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes. What sets them apart is their exceptional ability to coordinate seamless strategy across different legal systems. They don’t just understand the letter of the law in each country; they grasp the local procedural nuances and cultural dynamics that can make or break a cross-order case." - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon excels at handling complex international investigations where legal, regulatory, and business considerations intersect.
The firm's greatest strengths are strategic judgement, responsiveness, and its ability to coordinate seamlessly with foreign counsel. Unlike many firms that focus only on legal analysis, Yulchon consistently provides practical solutions that management can implement.
The team remains calm under pressure and demonstrates exceptional advocacy skills in high-stakes situations.” - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon combines technical excellence with a deep understanding of how multinational businesses operate. The team is highly proactive, business-orientated, and capable of translating complex legal issues into practical recommendations. Their ability to coordinate global defence strategies is particularly impressive." - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon provides exceptionally prompt, accurate, and commercially pragmatic legal advice. Their team demonstrates deep industry knowledge, seamless collaboration across different practice groups, and outstanding responsiveness. They don't just point out legal risks; they offer practical solutions that perfectly align with our business goals. Their client-centric approach is truly top-tier." - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon is distinguished by its strategic sophistication and commitment to client success.
The team demonstrates exceptional responsiveness and possesses a deep understanding of cross-border investigations, enforcement trends, and crisis management. They are particularly effective when dealing with matters that require both legal excellence and sound business judgement.” - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon has a great strength in solving various problems because of its expertise in various areas." - Energy
"The division and specialisation between litigation and advisory services is a strength." - Infrastructure
"Fast and efficient, at the same time modest and enthusiastic.” - Media and entertainment
"Sophisticated legal advice and timely feedback." - Real estzte
"Active initiative to meet the needs of the client. Suggesting ideas and further developing the service to elevate the quality and method of service provided.” - Regulatory
"From my own observation, Yulchon regards client's requests as very vital; even though they are very busy scheduled lawyers or CPAs, they still try to respond to my urgent questions within 1 business day normally, sometimes within the same day. It is really valuable to us clients in this way, because many times our corporate needs fast advice to make a deal/win business in a relatively safe way, and Yulchon's legal/tax professional advice helped us a lot." - Tax
Yong Whan Choi
"Mr Choi is very expertised in Korean tax laws, and we feel very secure by asking him for tax matters. He has a great team diversified in different international tax and legal specialities, speaks different languages, and is a very smart and active attorney. The most impressive is that his team's lawyers/CPAs are very dedicated and polite, actively cooperating with our requests, always timely and professional, and helping our company deal with many tough commercial decisions and tax as well as legal matters. They even reply to our emails/messages late at night and on weekends. We also feel very grateful that we see each other as a long-term partnership, and they sometimes offer strategic high-level advice to our company. It's very good to have an advisor like Mr Choi Yong Whan and his team."
Inyong Hwang
"Inyong is an exceptionally professional, sharp, and highly responsive expert. He demonstrates a profound understanding of complex issues and consistently provides clear, accurate, and actionable strategic advice. Inyong's meticulous attention to detail, combined with an outstanding ability to maintain a client-focused approach under pressure, makes him a truly invaluable partner. Communication is always prompt, seamless, and pleasant."
Kyu Sang Hwang
"In depth professional knowledge."
Woo Young Hur
"Possesses accurate judgment and extensive legal knowledge; performs duties diligently and communicates effectively."
Bo Sung Jang
"They communicate smoothly with clients and provide professional responses based on that communication."
Young Soo Jung
"Accurately identifies the client's issues and needs and provides appropriate solutions."
Geen Kim
"Very professional, knowledgeable, transparent, and supportive."
Gunhee Kim
"She is good at communicating in English and is always attentive to the client's needs. Easy to talk to and responsive."
Julie Kim
"She is good at communicating in English and is always attentive to the client's needs. Easy to talk to and responsive."
Keejeong Kim
"Identification of client's exact needs."
Kyu Hyun Kim
"Attention to detail and speed. Deep understanding of the Korean antitrust agency."
Nam Ho Kim
"Outstanding expertise, service mindset, and always a bright and friendly attitude."
Minkyu Kim
"He is very cooperative and reviews matters carefully. His feedback is also very prompt."
Wook Jin Rha
"Wook Jin is truly exceptional. His legal expertise is unquestionable, but what sets him apart is his ability to inspire confidence during the most difficult situations. He combines technical mastery, strategic creativity, commercial awareness, and extraordinary dedication to clients.
I have worked with many leading lawyers over the years, both in Korea and internationally, and Wook Jin ranks among the very best. He consistently delivers results, earns the trust of senior executives, and serves as a genuine strategic adviser rather than merely outside counsel."
"Wook Jin is one of the finest white-collar defence lawyers I have encountered in Korea.
He combines exceptional legal expertise with a remarkable strategic vision. What differentiates him is his ability to anticipate issues before they arise and to formulate solutions that address legal, business, and reputational concerns simultaneously.
His judgement in crisis situations is extraordinary. Senior management developed immense confidence in him because he consistently demonstrated leadership, responsiveness, and an ability to navigate uncertainty with clarity and precision.”
"He has a unique ability to understand management's concerns while simultaneously maintaining a sophisticated legal strategy. Throughout our engagement, he demonstrated extraordinary commitment, availability, and leadership. In my view, he is among the very best investigations and white-collar defence lawyers in Korea and fully competitive with leading practitioners globally."
Jong Kwon Ryoo
"Fluent communication in both Korean and English Comprehensive legal expertise in M&A, joint ventures, supply agreements, and more."
Kum Ju Son
"He is passionate, professional, and does his best for our company."
The firm has strategically bolstered its team through key hires across various practice areas. The competition/antitrust practice has been particularly active in recruitment, welcoming Genny S Kim from Jipyong as a partner. However, the practice also saw the departures of Hyo Sung Kim in June 2024.
The dispute resolution practice underwent substantial growth, welcoming three new partners including Jinsub Kim from Samsung C&T legal team dispute resolution TF, Shi Won Lee from a role as Secretary to the President for Public Office Discipline, and Jae Hwan Shin from National Court Administration. Two partners departed – Rak Hyun Kim to SK Group and Jae Eok Park.
In the tax practice, Yulchon made strategic hires including Kwang Lae Cho from the Tax Tribunal, Jung Wook Jun from Samsung Life Insurance, and Se Bin Lee from Supreme Court of Korea.
Client feedback
"They provide prompt and accurate responses." - Banking and finance
"Yulchon is very attentive and quick on response." - Capital markets
"Extensive professional network and project experience." - Construction
“They excel in each field and provide exactly the services customers want.” - Construction
"In-depth professional knowledge and prompt response." - Corporate and M&A
"As a full-service law firm, they provide comprehensive advice on JV governance, key issues in supply contracts, IP issues in licensing agreements, and export approvals." - Corporate and M&A
"Consistently handling everything in M&A from business structure and contracts through to post-merger integration." - Corporate and M&A
"One of Yulchon’s greatest strengths is its extensive pool of experts across diverse fields, allowing the firm to provide a broad range of advisory services backed by exceptional professional expertise." - Corporate and M&A
"Attention to detail and speed." - Corporate and M&A
"Yulchon is definitely my go-to firm for complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes. What sets them apart is their exceptional ability to coordinate seamless strategy across different legal systems. They don’t just understand the letter of the law in each country; they grasp the local procedural nuances and cultural dynamics that can make or break a cross-order case." - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon excels at handling complex international investigations where legal, regulatory, and business considerations intersect.
The firm's greatest strengths are strategic judgement, responsiveness, and its ability to coordinate seamlessly with foreign counsel. Unlike many firms that focus only on legal analysis, Yulchon consistently provides practical solutions that management can implement.
The team remains calm under pressure and demonstrates exceptional advocacy skills in high-stakes situations.” - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon combines technical excellence with a deep understanding of how multinational businesses operate. The team is highly proactive, business-orientated, and capable of translating complex legal issues into practical recommendations. Their ability to coordinate global defence strategies is particularly impressive." - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon provides exceptionally prompt, accurate, and commercially pragmatic legal advice. Their team demonstrates deep industry knowledge, seamless collaboration across different practice groups, and outstanding responsiveness. They don't just point out legal risks; they offer practical solutions that perfectly align with our business goals. Their client-centric approach is truly top-tier." - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon is distinguished by its strategic sophistication and commitment to client success.
The team demonstrates exceptional responsiveness and possesses a deep understanding of cross-border investigations, enforcement trends, and crisis management. They are particularly effective when dealing with matters that require both legal excellence and sound business judgement.” - Dispute resolution
"Yulchon has a great strength in solving various problems because of its expertise in various areas." - Energy
"The division and specialisation between litigation and advisory services is a strength." - Infrastructure
"Fast and efficient, at the same time modest and enthusiastic.” - Media and entertainment
"Sophisticated legal advice and timely feedback." - Real estzte
"Active initiative to meet the needs of the client. Suggesting ideas and further developing the service to elevate the quality and method of service provided.” - Regulatory
"From my own observation, Yulchon regards client's requests as very vital; even though they are very busy scheduled lawyers or CPAs, they still try to respond to my urgent questions within 1 business day normally, sometimes within the same day. It is really valuable to us clients in this way, because many times our corporate needs fast advice to make a deal/win business in a relatively safe way, and Yulchon's legal/tax professional advice helped us a lot." - Tax
Yong Whan Choi
"Mr Choi is very expertised in Korean tax laws, and we feel very secure by asking him for tax matters. He has a great team diversified in different international tax and legal specialities, speaks different languages, and is a very smart and active attorney. The most impressive is that his team's lawyers/CPAs are very dedicated and polite, actively cooperating with our requests, always timely and professional, and helping our company deal with many tough commercial decisions and tax as well as legal matters. They even reply to our emails/messages late at night and on weekends. We also feel very grateful that we see each other as a long-term partnership, and they sometimes offer strategic high-level advice to our company. It's very good to have an advisor like Mr Choi Yong Whan and his team."
Inyong Hwang
"Inyong is an exceptionally professional, sharp, and highly responsive expert. He demonstrates a profound understanding of complex issues and consistently provides clear, accurate, and actionable strategic advice. Inyong's meticulous attention to detail, combined with an outstanding ability to maintain a client-focused approach under pressure, makes him a truly invaluable partner. Communication is always prompt, seamless, and pleasant."
Kyu Sang Hwang
"In depth professional knowledge."
Woo Young Hur
"Possesses accurate judgment and extensive legal knowledge; performs duties diligently and communicates effectively."
Bo Sung Jang
"They communicate smoothly with clients and provide professional responses based on that communication."
Young Soo Jung
"Accurately identifies the client's issues and needs and provides appropriate solutions."
Geen Kim
"Very professional, knowledgeable, transparent, and supportive."
Gunhee Kim
"She is good at communicating in English and is always attentive to the client's needs. Easy to talk to and responsive."
Julie Kim
"She is good at communicating in English and is always attentive to the client's needs. Easy to talk to and responsive."
Keejeong Kim
"Identification of client's exact needs."
Kyu Hyun Kim
"Attention to detail and speed. Deep understanding of the Korean antitrust agency."
Nam Ho Kim
"Outstanding expertise, service mindset, and always a bright and friendly attitude."
Minkyu Kim
"He is very cooperative and reviews matters carefully. His feedback is also very prompt."
Wook Jin Rha
"Wook Jin is truly exceptional. His legal expertise is unquestionable, but what sets him apart is his ability to inspire confidence during the most difficult situations. He combines technical mastery, strategic creativity, commercial awareness, and extraordinary dedication to clients.
I have worked with many leading lawyers over the years, both in Korea and internationally, and Wook Jin ranks among the very best. He consistently delivers results, earns the trust of senior executives, and serves as a genuine strategic adviser rather than merely outside counsel."
"Wook Jin is one of the finest white-collar defence lawyers I have encountered in Korea.
He combines exceptional legal expertise with a remarkable strategic vision. What differentiates him is his ability to anticipate issues before they arise and to formulate solutions that address legal, business, and reputational concerns simultaneously.
His judgement in crisis situations is extraordinary. Senior management developed immense confidence in him because he consistently demonstrated leadership, responsiveness, and an ability to navigate uncertainty with clarity and precision.”
"He has a unique ability to understand management's concerns while simultaneously maintaining a sophisticated legal strategy. Throughout our engagement, he demonstrated extraordinary commitment, availability, and leadership. In my view, he is among the very best investigations and white-collar defence lawyers in Korea and fully competitive with leading practitioners globally."
Jong Kwon Ryoo
"Fluent communication in both Korean and English Comprehensive legal expertise in M&A, joint ventures, supply agreements, and more."
Kum Ju Son
"He is passionate, professional, and does his best for our company."