Following an extensive nomination process, Asia Business Law Journal unveils the A-List of Korea’s top lawyers. Byung Jin Park and Miran Lim report
VIEW THE TOP LAWYERS IN KOREA HERE
Well into the second half of 2025, Korean law firms are busier than ever, safeguarding their clients from regulatory changes and new trends in the legal market. One major change is a set of amendments to the Korean Commercial Code, aimed at enhancing corporate governance and shareholder equality. The first amendment, which came into effect in July, expands the fiduciary duties of directors to include the protection of shareholders’ interests, as well as the company.
The second amendment, which comes into effect in September 2026, one year after promulgation, prohibits opting out of the cumulative voting in director elections at companies with total assets of KRW2 trillion (about USD1.47 billion) or more. With these changes in Korea’s corporate governance environment, more companies are knocking on law firms’ doors.
The labour and employment departments at law firms are notably busy, responding to the impact of the Serious Accident Punishment Act (SAPA), which came into effect in January 2022, and the Yellow Envelope Act, scheduled to take effect in March 2026.
Under the SAPA, a company CEO may face imprisonment if a major worksite accident occurs and adequate safety measures are not implemented.
The Yellow Envelope Act recognises an entity as an “employer” if it has substantial and specific control over working conditions, even if it is not the direct employer under an employment contract, and an employer may be obliged to engage in collective bargaining with subcontractor employees. Law firms are working hard to attract clients by organising explanatory seminars and similar events.
With a new Korean government inaugurated in June, pledging to introduce a Korean won stablecoin, this cryptocurrency is anticipated to become a new source of business for Korean law firms.
As of late September, four stablecoin-related bills had been submitted to the Korean National Assembly. Although discussions are expected to continue until the relevant bills are passed, Korean fintech companies and gaming firms are already swiftly positioning themselves, and law firms are expected to play a role.
In light of these developments, Asia Business Law Journal proudly presents the A-List of the top 100 best practising lawyers and 32 Legal Icons in South Korea. The A-List is based on extensive research and nominations from in-house counsel in Korea and elsewhere, as well as Korea-focused partners at international law firms.
Awareness of industry trends
Comments submitted to ABLJ by clients indicated a preference for lawyers who possess not only legal knowledge but also industry-specific experience and expertise.
After nearly two decades of in-house counsel experience, including serving as a top legal executive at medical device and pharmaceutical companies, Jooyup Chae, of Yulchon, stands out for his expertise in the healthcare profession.
“Chae has worked for many years as an in-house counsel for several Korean conglomerates and global companies, gaining a deep understanding of the challenges and needs faced in the business environment,” says Dong Suk Lee, senior legal counsel at Johnson & Johnson Vision Korea in Seoul.
“Particularly in the healthcare sector, he has a thorough understanding of Korean regulatory agencies’ perspectives and practicalities,” says Lee. “He has been actively involved for many years with the Korea Medical Devices Industry Association, which has further enhanced his awareness of industry trends.”
Daniel Cho, a partner at Covington & Burling in Washington, echoes Lee’s sentiment, noting Chae’s legal acumen is matched by his strategic foresight. “He is known for providing solutions that are not only legally sound but also commercially viable, a critical skill in Korea’s fast-evolving business environment.”
Another industry specialist earning recognition is HK Helen Sohn, of Yoon & Yang, who has advised on aircraft financing for 30 years. “We have worked with Helen on aviation financings and securitisation transactions for over 15 years,” says Kei Ping Kristen Kwok, a partner at Walkers in Hong Kong.
“We find Helen to be very knowledgeable and fantastic to work with. She is also the go-to Korean counsel for airlines in Korea, and Korean investors looking to invest in aviation assets.”
Seok Jae Lee, of Jipyong, is also recommended by clients for his expertise in real estate finance. According to Kyungbae Park, a managing director of the domestic investment group at Mastern Investment Management in Seoul, Lee has extensive experience in setting industry precedents, such as the first anchor REITs (real estate investment trust) listing, the first development-type fund business in the country, and the first public-supported private rental housing project in central Seoul.
“Lee possesses a strong business understanding, not only of traditional sectors such as offices and logistics centres, but also of emerging growth sectors including rental housing, data centres and life sciences,” says Park.
“This enables him to provide advice that is both legally precise and directly beneficial to asset managers in practice. He serves as an indispensable partner for the success of our various deals, going beyond legal risk analysis.”
Sunny Hong, the head of legal and compliance at ABL Life Insurance in Seoul, also highlights Seok Jae Lee’s responsiveness and extensive expertise in real estate finance. “Lee is a trusted expert who consistently provides prompt and clear responses to requests for advice on various forms of financial investment, even under tight deadlines,” says Hong.
“He goes beyond simple legal review to deliver practical advice that can be immediately applied in business settings, enabling clients to make informed decisions.”
New faces
This year’s Korea A-List features 11 new faces, including Ho Joon Moon, a managing partner at Lee & Ko. Having joined the firm in 2001, Moon is highly respected for his specialty in M&A. “I have worked with Moon on several M&A transactions in the past, and I highly value his ability to always provide prompt and optimal advice from the client’s perspective,” says a senior executive at a global investment firm in Korea.
“Despite being a managing partner, he is directly involved in practical matters and details, offering highly reliable reviews and guidance on M&A structures, contracts, and related legal and regulatory issues. Moon is a lawyer I would like to continue working with in the future.”
Kuk Hyun Kwon, senior managing partner at Eje Law Firm, is another new face on our list receiving praise from clients. Hyung Joon Seo, the CEO of Blooming Grace, a Seoul-based company engaged in various IT businesses based on entertainment, recalls how Kwon assisted in the company’s early stages as it faced the complex challenge of establishing multiple entities simultaneously and setting up its operational framework.
“Kwon leveraged his extensive experience and expertise to reliably lead all aspects of the initial work, proactively identifying legal risks and designing the optimal structure for us,” says Seo. “More than just a legal adviser, Kwon was an outstanding partner who provided clear alternatives, allowing management to make swift and accurate decisions.”
Ik Sang Choi, the head of legal at Paldo, a global food company famous for its Dosirac noodles, also recommends Kwon. “Our company was able to successfully resolve a number of complex legal challenges with the advice of Kwon,” says Choi.
Kwon advised Paldo on various matters, including providing support for the company establishing overseas offices and reviewing the related contract risks. “Thanks to his expertise and insight, our company was able to devise optimal response strategies at every critical juncture,” says Choi.
Brian Koo, the vice president at Oriental Brewery in Seoul, also has high praise. “Kwon has substantial experience dealing with political and economic matters, which is often reflected in the advice,” says Koo. “For the insightful knowledge he provides, the legal fees are reasonable.”
Strategic approach
Lawyers with strategic approaches to addressing clients’ needs are receiving accolades this year, especially when it comes to legal costs.
Paul Jang, general counsel and head of international legal at Hyundai Group in Seoul, speaks highly of Sam Kim, of Yoon & Yang, after working closely with him on a patent litigation case in the US.
“Sam was instrumental in balancing the work division between Yoon & Yang and the US litigation firm that we hired, and undoubtedly reduced our overall legal fees substantially,” says Jang. “Sam presented creative approaches, and we were able to successfully have the case dismissed in a relatively short period of time.”
In-Hwan Kim, a foreign attorney at Kim & Chang, receives praise for “his professional, attention-to-detail and strategic approach”.
“Over the past 10 years, Kim has demonstrated exceptional expertise in patent law, providing invaluable support in securing and protecting our intellectual property,” says Filip von Friesendorff, a director of the patent unit at Ericsson in Lund, Sweden. “He communicates complex legal concepts clearly and is dedicated to understanding and meeting our specific needs.”
Compiling the A-List
The A-List is based on extensive research conducted by Asia Business Law Journal. To identify the top lawyers in Korea, we turned to thousands of in-house counsel in Korea and around the world – as well as partners at international law firms – and asked them to tell us which lawyers should make the cut.
A-List lawyers were defined on the nomination form as “lawyers who are currently the star performers of Korea’s legal profession; the lawyers who are personally undertaking the country’s top legal work, crafting the most cutting-edge legal solutions to complex problems, and setting the highest standards in terms of quality, innovation and the ability to handle complex matters”.
Our Legal Icons were defined as “lawyers who are the luminaries of Korea’s legal profession; the titans who command the respect of clients and juniors alike; the mentors who lead Korea’s most admired law firms and/or legal teams, and who are the country’s most prolific rainmakers”.
All Korean private practice lawyers and foreign lawyers based in the country were automatically eligible for inclusion in the nomination process. There were no fees or any other requirements for entry.
