Competition/Antitrust
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 3404 0000About
Provided by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC
Rare among Korean law firms, BKL offers a full practice group dedicated to antitrust and fair competition law. Our team of specialized attorneys and analysts provides advice to clients, in many industries, on a variety of issues that arise under Korean laws governing fair competition.
One of the principal sources of law in this area is the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act, which governs business combinations, “collusive” practices, pricing tactics and abuse of market dominance. Our team enjoys a very keen understanding, resting on many years’ experience, of the process of administrative review by the Korean Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”), which administers that Act.
Commonly we advise on, and prepare, business combination reports, which are required for a wide range of investments and business arrangements in Korea. We also assist clients, and coordinate with government offices, in fair competition-related procedures, such as filings for review of standard-form contracts.
As a core area of practice, the team is expert in antitrust litigation and related process. We regularly represent clients in investigative proceedings before the KFTC concerning alleged cartel activities, abuse of market dominance, unfair business practices, exclusive dealing arrangements, various types of vertical restraints and wrongful advertisements. Our administrative law experts also assist in seeking recourse against sanctions and restrictive measures imposed by the antitrust authorities.
Chambers Review
Bae, Kim & Lee demonstrates exceptional skill in competition-related litigation and investigations. The team offers broad expertise spanning merger clearance, cartel matters, abuse of dominance and unfair trade practices. The law firm is highly experienced in providing advice to clients bringing administrative lawsuits against the KFTC. Bae, Kim & Lee's team comprises local and foreign lawyers, as well as former judges and KFTC officials. It acts for a diverse range of domestic and international clients, including technology, automotive and financial services entities.
Work Highlights
- Bae, Kim & Lee advised BlackRock on its KRW1.1 trillion acquisition of a 30% stake in AirFirst and related antitrust considerations including filing a merger report to the KFTC.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"BKL's service levels and responses have always been very satisfactory and timely."
"They have strong ability to find hidden evidence and use a wide range of examples."
"BKL's service levels and responses have always been very satisfactory and timely."
"They have strong ability to find hidden evidence and use a wide range of examples."
Notable Practitioners
Oh Keumseok maintains an active practice handling contentious antitrust cases for major domestic corporations and international companies and financial institutions. He has notable expertise in a wide range of issues, encompassing abuse of dominant position and abuse of bargaining power cases, bid rigging and price manipulation investigations.
"He is a profound lawyer, knowledgeable and committed to clients."
"Keumseok has a deep understanding of the issues based on his experience."
Shin Sanghoon is a senior foreign attorney at Bae, Kim & Lee. He leverages extensive domestic and international experience in the antitrust field, gained through his former tenures at the KFTC, the US DOJ Antitrust Division and the US FTC.
"Sanghoon Shin is very responsive and provides deep analysis."
Yun Seongun has wide-ranging experience in antitrust matters. He has been involved in bid-rigging cases and investigations in relation to abuse of dominant position and alleged deceptive advertising.
"He is a great collaborator with clients."
"Yun Seongun is client-friendly and shows the best commitment."
Kim Hyuna has a growing practice in the competition and antitrust sphere. She is well placed to advise on a broad range of mandates, including cases relating to cartel issues, unfair transactions and abuse of a dominant market position.
Kang Il focuses his practice on behavioural mandates, representing clients in proceedings relating to collusion and abuse of dominant position, in addition to advising on regulatory compliance matters.
"Kang Il is one of the best external counsels I've ever worked with."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC
South Korea
Members
Provided by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC
Hong Ki Kim
Hyun A Kim
Jung Hun Kim
Kee Won Shin
Head of Department
Sung-Ho Moon
Yunsoo Kim