Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 772 4000About
Provided by Lee & Ko
Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Group has risen to the top of the Korean arbitration market and is widely recognized as a leading global international arbitration team. With over 30 internationally and Korean-licensed attorneys, Lee & Ko’s arbitration practitioners are consistently ranked in the top tier in all major legal publications based on the team’s consistently high-level quality of work and breadth of expertise covering all forms of disputes, including construction, IP & life sciences, investor-state disputes, M&A disputes, general commercial disputes and sports arbitration, among others. With an established team of experts for each of practice area, Lee & Ko has acted as lead counsel in more than 80% of its cases where it has performed all stages of written and oral advocacy. In particular, the group has developed a dedicated construction specialty practice in response to the increasing number of high-value, complex international arbitrations where it has acted as lead-counsel for Korean and international construction companies.
Due to Lee & Ko’s impressive track record of successfully representing its clients, the arbitration team boasts one of the most diverse client bases in Korea. In addition to representing large Korean conglomerates as well as the Korean government, its client base also includes state-owned entities, and foreign companies in the U.S.A, Brazil, Sweden, Singapore, China, Japan, Austria, Hong Kong, and throughout the Middle East.
Chambers Review
Lee & Ko is a well-established group with a strong client base. The team is frequently instructed on arbitrations seated in Seoul and Singapore and handles cases in the construction, life sciences and automotive sectors, offering noteworthy experience in the handling of investor-state disputes and other cross-jurisdictional matters. The team is noted for strong oral advocacy and efficient collaboration with international peers.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko acted for the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kyobo Life Insurance Company in a USD700 million arbitration regarding a shareholder agreement.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have very capable lawyers who are commercially minded and understand the needs of the client."
"Lee & Ko have the depth and business insight to understand the case comprehensively and in depth."
"They have very capable lawyers who are commercially minded and understand the needs of the client."
"Lee & Ko have the depth and business insight to understand the case comprehensively and in depth."
Notable Practitioners
Kim Saemee offers expertise in investment treaty cases, disputes over distributorship and licensing agreements, and joint venture disagreements. Her client roster includes domestic and foreign corporations.
"I think she is the most outstanding international lawyer I have ever met, both in terms of her professional skills and her ability to communicate with clients."
"She is a great person to have on your side and is very promising."
Grace Yoon is deemed an up-and coming lawyer in the international arbitration sphere. She advises domestic and foreign entities as well as the Korean government on arbitration cases involving commercial agreements, IP rights and defective products issues.
Han Sanghoon is a well-regarded lawyer who is up-and-coming in the arbitration space. He has noteworthy experience advising on investment treaty disputes and issues relating to construction projects and commercial contracts.
"Sanghoon understands the industry and is more concerned about what will be the best way for clients beyond the case that he is representing."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko