Tax
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : 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.
Work Highlights
- Lee & Ko represented Korea Land & Housing Corporation in a dispute against the National Tax Service over corporate income tax and VAT assessments.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is very respectful, providing excellent advice and doing so with high levels of responsiveness."
"The excellent team, which includes not only senior partner attorneys but also junior partners, associate attorneys and other professionals, has been a great help."
"The team is very respectful, providing excellent advice and doing so with high levels of responsiveness."
"The excellent team, which includes not only senior partner attorneys but also junior partners, associate attorneys and other professionals, has been a great help."
Notable Practitioners
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.
"In addition to his excellent customer service skills, he also has problem-solving skills and a business mindset, which have always provided us with the utmost satisfaction in working with him."
"He is a top expert who always provides beneficial results to clients through his extensive experience and knowledge."
Son Byeong Jun is a former judge. His work often covers Korean tax disputes, including in relation to VAT.
Tom Kwon receives recognition for his expertise in M&A tax. He leads Lee and Ko's international tax practice, acting for a range of high-profile clients, both foreign and domestic. He has the experience to advise on a wide range of matters, including tax controversies, structuring and disputes, among numerous others.
"Tom Kwon provides clear, practical tax advice with regard to wider commercial objectives."
"He is quick to respond and understand the client's needs and has a strong ability to mobilise the expertise within his team to deliver complete and useful advice across a breadth of tax areas."
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