Corporate/M&A
Global Guide 2024 : South Korea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 772 4000About
Provided by Lee & Ko
For more than 40 years from its establishment in 1977, Lee & Ko’s M&A Practice Group has been recognized as the market leader providing the finest M&A advisory services to its domestic and foreign clients in relation to all areas of corporate and M&A transactions. The Group has consistently been ranked as the top tier practice by reputable legal magazines and societies.
Lee & Ko’s M&A Practice Group offers clients one-stop service during the entire process of an M&A transaction in collaboration with other practice groups such as tax, labor, anti-competition and regulatory compliance, as well as our firm’s industry specialists equipped with in-depth knowledge and expertise in the relevant industries. This full range service enables the M&A Practice Group to provide clients with pragmatic advice and solutions, without delay, in dealing with various issues arising in complex M&A transactions.
Chambers Review
The prominent corporate practice at Lee & Ko assists with inbound and outbound investments. It is traditionally known for attracting significant clients from the finance and technology sectors. It fields a number of lawyers specialising in advising clients from the USA and China. The team is experienced in handling work for major Korean corporations as well as prominent private equity houses. Its partners bring a range of different background experience, including work for government departments, foreign law firms and as in-house counsel for major global corporations. Lee & Ko is also well positioned to advise on corporate governance, regulatory matters and compliance issues. Key clients include Biogen Therapeutics, LG Energy Solution and SK Holdings.
Lee & Ko has an active advisory team capable of covering North Korea work. The team has experience providing clients with information regarding economic cooperation and investment opportunities, as well as providing research analysis on North Korean law and licensing queries. It represents a range of clients from government ministries to private enterprises. Lim Hyung Sub is a key contact.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko acted for Biogen Therapeutics on the sale of its shares in Samsung Bioepis to Samsung BioLogics.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Lee & Ko has the manpower and resources to understand various complicated legal issues that could arise during the process of conducting due diligence and as well as negotiation and documentation."
"Lee & Ko is definitely one of the top law firms in Korea in corporate/M&A work. They are commercially minded, efficient and client-focused. They are super responsive and efficient, and we always find their feedback to be on-point."
"They are able to deliver the best results for the budget. They can focus on the most important and complex issues first so that we can identify and understand the most important ones. They do not unnecessarily drag the process just to increase their legal bill."
"They were impeccable. The level of service, expertise and budgeting were just perfect."
"Lee & Ko has the manpower and resources to understand various complicated legal issues that could arise during the process of conducting due diligence and as well as negotiation and documentation."
"Lee & Ko is definitely one of the top law firms in Korea in corporate/M&A work. They are commercially minded, efficient and client-focused. They are super responsive and efficient, and we always find their feedback to be on-point."
"They are able to deliver the best results for the budget. They can focus on the most important and complex issues first so that we can identify and understand the most important ones. They do not unnecessarily drag the process just to increase their legal bill."
"They were impeccable. The level of service, expertise and budgeting were just perfect."
Notable Practitioners
Lee Kyu Wha remains active on acquisitions and is a well-known figure in the market. He is also experienced in handling foreign direct investment and restructuring matters.
Kim Sanggon is Lee & Ko's managing partner. He remains well known in the market and is noted for his experience in high-profile transactions. His work includes acquisitions and share purchase agreements.
Moon Ho Joon has a good reputation in the market and remains involved in high-value matters, including acquisitions and international investments for Korean corporations.
"Moon Ho Joon is a very smart and reliable lawyer."
"He has strong expertise built on his extensive experience in the M&A; his level of detail, responsiveness, professionalism, and strong commercial awareness make him a go-to lawyer for any opportunities we may have."
Lee Hyeong Gun is a respected lawyer with significant experience advising on high-value acquisitions and sales. He counts several major Korean companies among his clientele.
"Lee Hyeong Gun is trusted by his clients."
Yoon Yong Joon possesses a notable practice in the corporate and M&A sphere. He advises both international and domestic entities in share swaps and acquisitions.
"Yong Joon is a professional lawyer with an excellent work ethic."
"He is a rising star."
Lim Hyung Sub advises public and private sector clients on international sanctions as well as policy review and implementation matters.
"He is known to have provided policy consultation to the South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc. He is widely known as an expert in North Korea-related matters."
"Lim Hyung Sub is able to respond excellently to various legal issues. In particular, he presents various ideas and advises on legal disputes on North-South relations, North-South economic cooperation, and Korea's reunification policy."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko
Daehoon Koo
Hyun Tae Kim
Ki Wook Kang
Kyungchun Kim
Seung Hwan Lee
Sung Min Kim,