Dispute Resolution: White-Collar Crime
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+ 82 2 3703 1114About
Provided by Kim & Chang
Kim & Chang’s Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice is comprised of over 190 lawyers and other professionals including former prosecutors, police investigators, judges, regulators and forensic experts with extensive experience in conducting investigations and defending against investigations and subsequent trial proceeding involving alleged violations of complex areas including corruption, finance, antitrust, tax, trade secrets, privacy, environment, health, and labor and employment.
Corporate investigations and criminal defense in Korea often involve multiple layers that require specialized expertise which goes beyond fact-finding and applying laws. With more than ten specialty groups and extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional investigations, we are uniquely positioned to understand and address our clients’ questions, concerns, industry-specific challenges and potential cross-border spill-over effects.
Key Services:
- Anti-Corruption
- Finance/Insurance/Securities Sector Experience
- Tax/Customs/Foreign Exchange
- Fair Trade/Antitrust/Competition
- Trade Secrets/Intellectual Property
- Construction/Real Estate
- Medical/Pharmaceutical Industry/Health Industry
- Environment/Plant Safety/Product Liability
- Labor & Employment
- Compliance Audits/Reviews/Internal Investigations
- Privacy Laws
Chambers Review
Kim & Chang is internationally recognised as a leading white-collar criminal defence team comprising former judges and police investigators, ably supported by in-house forensic expertise. Its team has a strong track record in defending clients in government investigations. The firm handles a broad spectrum of matters, ranging from internal investigations and high-stakes criminal litigation to data privacy and cyber-hacking issues. It frequently assists global corporations, domestic conglomerates and financial institutions facing regulatory investigation or potential criminal prosecution out of its Seoul office.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Kim & Chang's team analyse the case from various perspectives, identify flaws in the opponent's arguments and leverage them to our advantage."
"Their strategic approach in drafting precise responses and engaging effectively with various governmental bodies is commendable."
"Kim & Chang's team analyse the case from various perspectives, identify flaws in the opponent's arguments and leverage them to our advantage."
"Their strategic approach in drafting precise responses and engaging effectively with various governmental bodies is commendable."
Notable Practitioners
Yoo Kook Hyun is a revered lawyer in the South Korean white-collar crime space. His role involves acting on criminal defence matters on behalf of Korean and international conglomerates, drawing on experience acquired over a 30-year legal career.
"He is a well-respected elder statesman."
Cha Dong Min is recognised for his considerable experience in corporate investigation and white-collar litigation. He regularly assists global and Korean corporations, board members and shareholders.
"He has insights into and can properly predict how the Prosecutors' Office will take action."
"He has an excellent ability to build the best team to derive the best outcome that meets clients' needs and to induce close cooperation in the process of establishing and operating a defence strategy."
Sean (Myungsuk) Choi maintains an active practice handling contentious white-collar crime mandates involving criminal defence and regulatory compliance aspects, in addition to assisting with corporate investigations. He draws on experience as a former public prosecutor.
"Sean has extensive experience in advising multinational corporations on criminal matters."
"He always provides wise counsel with his calming demeanour and always delivers on his promises."
Lee Seung Ho is active on a variety of white-collar crime and regulatory compliance mandates, and he services clients from a range of industries including banking, manufacturing, automotive and technology.
"He is able to demonstrate leadership in connecting customers and teams in an integrated manner, which is very helpful in solving problems."
Lee Byung-Suk focuses closely on corporate crime and offers extensive experience in cases involving embezzlement and insider trading issues. His white-collar crime defence practice sees him handling a range of securities fraud mandates.
Ranked Lawyers at
Kim & Chang
South Korea