Tax
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+ 82 2 3703 1114About
Provided by Kim & Chang
Given the size and strength of our Tax Practice, we have acquired extensive experience in all industries and working in every tax discipline, including specifically:
- Transaction tax matters
- International tax planning, analysis and implementation of business restructuring, including international mergers and acquisitions, anti-deferral regimes, foreign tax credits, transfer pricing, permanent establishments, tax treaties and OECD standards
- Obtaining administrative tax rulings, and government interactions related to legislative and regulatory activities
- All types of entities
- Domestic and cross-border private equity funds and hedge funds
- Corporate finance, recapitalizations, leasing, insurance, funding and other financial transactions
- High-net-worth and individual private client tax matters, such as the individual income tax, estate planning, estate tax and gift tax
- Tax consulting related to VAT
- Tax controversy and dispute resolution in all Korean forums, including managing tax audits, advocacy during administrative review in RATI (Review of Adequacy of Tax Imposition) and the Korean Tax Tribunal
- Bilateral tax matters between Korea and foreign jurisdictions, such as Advance Pricing Agreements or the Mutual Agreement Process of income tax treaties
- Tax litigation at all levels of litigation in the Korean court system (accounting firms cannot litigate), including litigation by our lawyers in the District Courts, High Courts (appellate courts) and the Korean Supreme Court
Chambers Review
Kim & Chang is a leading law firm in South Korea, with a deep bench of tax specialists, many of whom are former officers of the relevant regulatory agencies. It is a market leader across a comprehensive range of tax issues, including transfer pricing, tax audits, tax planning and exemptions. The team handles large volumes of tax appeals and represents an impressive roster of foreign and local clients. It is also well placed to handle tax issues arising from M&A deals and customs matters. The firm houses both leading tax lawyers and a top team of non-lawyer tax professionals, allowing it to handle a full spectrum of work.
Work Highlights
- Kim & Chang represented Hahn & Company in its acquisition of the Lutronic Corporation. The firm provided tax guidance on the procedural aspects of two separate tend offers.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team has all-encompassing talents, and is ready to handle complex and sophisticated matters. In fact, Kim & Chang stands out most in those kinds of complex projects."
"The team's extensive knowledge, experience and adeptness in efficiently resolving unforeseen challenges makes them an invaluable asset."
"The team has all-encompassing talents, and is ready to handle complex and sophisticated matters. In fact, Kim & Chang stands out most in those kinds of complex projects."
"The team's extensive knowledge, experience and adeptness in efficiently resolving unforeseen challenges makes them an invaluable asset."
Notable Practitioners
Baik Woo Hyun has over four decades of experience advising on tax issues involving financial transactions in the Korean market.
Nam Tae-Yeon is a highly esteemed transfer pricing practitioner in South Korea. She is also experienced in a range of international taxation matters and regularly advises on advance pricing agreements.
"She is a very good adviser and business partner."
Choi Im Jung remains highly regarded for his tax practice in South Korea. He has experience advising on tax issues related to real estate transactions and expertise in beneficial ownership issues.
"Choi Im Jung is very solid, handling the biggest cases."
Lee Sang Woo is known to be active in South Korea's tax market, particularly in the litigation arena. He also has experience in tax appeals and tax audits.
"Lee Sang Woo possesses not only legal expertise but also strong commercial understanding and excellent insight into international taxes."
Jung Byung-Moon co-leads Kim & Chang's tax practice. He is a former chief research judge of the Supreme Court's tax team, and leverages his experience to serve clients on various disputes and audits.
Kim Dong So is an established name in South Korea's tax domain. He has a range of experience in tax matters, including advising on disputes, M&A, tax treaties and audits.
Cho Sung Gweon is known for his work on tax and customs duties litigation and tax audits. He typically represents Korean entities.
Ranked Lawyers at
Kim & Chang
South Korea
Members
Provided by Kim & Chang