Tax
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : South Korea
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+82 2 772 4000About
Provided by Lee & Ko
Lee & Ko’s Tax Practice Group provides our valued clients with a full range of services in all areas of Korean tax law, including corporate and individual income tax, VAT, international tax, inheritance & gift tax, and local taxes. Some of the key industry sectors that we serve include Real Estate & Construction, TMT/Technology & Software, Ship Building, Insurance, Banking & Financial Services, and Infrastructure.
Our Tax Practice Group provides our clients with timely, effective, and practical solutions for their most complex tax challenges, including tax audit defense, tax appeal and litigation. We have a distinguished track record of successfully handling the most leading tax issues for our clients, including recent cases involving beneficial ownership under international tax treaties and real estate transfer taxes. Our Tax Practice Group is also renowned for our expertise in tax consulting and advisory services, including transfer pricing, M&A transactions, inbound and outbound structuring, tax rulings, and legislative consulting.
Our Practice Group consists of the finest tax professionals, including Korean and foreign attorneys, CPAs, and former senior government officials. We have over 100 tax professionals and include experts who previously worked as Korean Supreme Court Tax Research Judges, Tax Tribunal judges, ex-NTS officers, as well as international tax lawyers and other specialists, many with extensive experience at top-tier law firms and accounting firms.
Chambers Review
Lee & Ko is an established law firm in South Korea with a strong tax practice providing services across the spectrum of tax matters, including in the areas of tax consulting, tax litigation, cross-border taxation and audit defence. The team is also experienced in tax issues relating to M&A and real estate. Its veteran specialised team includes both domestic and foreign practitioners and former government officials and judges. Tax disputes are a particular strength, as is handling cases relating to tax deductions, acquisition tax and VAT. The team also advises on cross-border tax planning, including expertise in transfer pricing. Its key clients include LG Household & Health Care, Intergraph Korea, Lotte Retailers.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko represented LH Company in a case involving National Tax Service's corporate income tax and VAT assessment. On behalf of the client, Lee & Ko requested a refund of corporate income tax in an amount of approximately USD495 million, as well as VAT in an amount of approximately USD1 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Lee & Ko has a very experienced team with knowledge across various specialist areas."
"The matter was at a very tight timeline, and they were very helpful in providing the work very effectively and in a timely manner."
"Lee & Ko has a very experienced team with knowledge across various specialist areas."
"The matter was at a very tight timeline, and they were very helpful in providing the work very effectively and in a timely manner."
Notable Practitioners
Son Byeong Jun is a former judge. His work often covers Korean tax disputes, including in relation to VAT.
Kim Kyung Tae is an active partner at Lee & Ko, particularly noted for his assistance in tax litigation. He has experience of advising on corporate income tax, VAT, and tax ruling applications.
"It's very instrumental to have him as he is CPA-qualified. Kim Kyung Tae understands the client's needs well. He has the perspective to provide creative and effective discussion and solutions through sharing ideas."
"The level of customer service is excellent and the problem-solving skills are very good."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lee & Ko
South Korea
Members
Provided by Lee & Ko
Head of Department
Ok Hyun Ma
Head of Department
Soon Nam Jang
Sung Hwan Kim
Tae Bok Cho
Tom Kwon
Yeon Ho Chang
Young Uk Park
Clients
Provided by Lee & Ko
ADT Caps
Intellectual Ventures
LG International
Lotte Property & Development
Mastercard
Microsoft
SK Telecom
Saint Gobain
Shinsegae
Industries
Provided by Lee & Ko
Banking & Financial Services
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Infrastructure
Insurance
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Real Estate & Construction
Ship Building
TMT/Technology & Software