Corporate/M&A
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : South Korea
Band 1
About
Provided by Shin & Kim
Our Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group has extensive experience assisting domestic and foreign companies, strategic investors and, more recently, start-ups and unicorn companies on all types of mergers and acquisitions.
The Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group provides tailored advice for each individual transaction in consideration of the clients’ end-goals, utilizing our deep understanding of the relevant laws and market practice in Korea. Its expertise covers matters such as management right transfer transactions, minority interest/mezzanine investments and solicitation, mergers and splits, share exchanges and business transfers. It also utilizes the full-service nature of Shin & Kim by drawing on expertise from other groups to provide solutions to various issues that may arise in the course of an M&A process.
The Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group is consistently ranked the highest in the industry and recognized for providing timely and sophisticated legal advice each step of the way, from reviewing transaction structures, conducting legal due diligence and negotiations to obtaining M&A related licenses, approvals and permits.
Chambers Review
Shin & Kim's robust corporate team routinely assists clientswith a wide variety of corporate activities, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, restructuring and private equity deals. It is also well placed to handle spin-off matters. The team acts as counselon large multi-jurisdictional transactions and specialises inadvising Korean clients looking to make outbound investments. It serves clients in a variety of sectors including finance, manufacturing and technology.
Work Highlights
- Shin & Kim advised Kakao on its tender offer for shares of SM Entertainment.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Shin & Kim provides innovative solutions in complex structured investment transactions."
"Shin & Kim provide a detailed plan on how they intend to execute 'the plan', leaving no awkward communicational gaps between the client and the firm."
"Shin & Kim provides innovative solutions in complex structured investment transactions."
"Shin & Kim provide a detailed plan on how they intend to execute 'the plan', leaving no awkward communicational gaps between the client and the firm."
Notable Practitioners
Chang Jae Young heads the Shin & Kim corporate/M&A practice and is well recognised for his experience in a range of M&A transactions. His expertise is in high demand among Korean corporations and private equity houses.
"He is experienced in M&A and has excellent professional competence."
"Jae Young was professional and provided strong support for our deal."
Lee Tong-Gun maintains a commanding position in the table supported by widespread compliments from clients. He advises on a range of matters including acquisitions and divestments for a range of domestic corporate clients and private equity houses.
"He has very good problem-solving skills."
"He is good at managing complicated issues."
Brandon Ryu (Ryu Myong-Hyon) is particularly focused on cross-border transactions, regularly acting for Korean corporations. He is also skilled in handling private equity mandates.
"Brandon is efficient and responsive."
"His professionalism, communication skills and experience are the best."
Chung-In Anthony Choi is active on a variety of matters and has experience handling cross-border mergers and acquisitions. He regularly handles mandates from leading private equity clients, assisting with inbound investments into the Korean market.
Jeong Hae Sung's client roster features conglomerates and private equity houses. He has expertise in private equity deals, leveraged buyouts and corporate governance.
"Hae Sung is very professional, knowledgeable and responsive."
"He performing excellently in the Korean M&A market. I highly appreciate his professional knowledge and sincerity and confidently recommend him to other customers."
Cho Joongil focuses on corporate governance matters, M&A and private equity transactions. He counts prestigious domestic and international conglomerates among his clientele.
"He has a good understanding of the business and can cover not only legal opinions but also commercial parts."
"He has an excellent ability to handle work."
Stephanie Kim is considered an experienced lawyer when it comes to cross-border acquisition and investment transactions. She regularly works with Korean and foreign entities in the financial services and TMT sectors.
"She was professional and provided strong support for our deal."
"She provides prompt responses."
Ahn Hae Seong is sought out for her expertise in M&A, private equity transactions and joint venture transactions.
"She approaches problems with high professionalism and a customer-friendly mind, and derives results."
"She quickly identifies and resolves complex issues."
Ranked Lawyers at
Shin & Kim
South Korea
Members
Provided by Shin & Kim
Byung Tae Kim
Dong Jun Park
Hae Seong Ahn
Head of Department
Jiwon Kang
Soo Kyun Lee
Stephanie H. Kim
Head of Department
Clients
Provided by Shin & Kim
Affinity Equity Partners
Asiana Airlines, Inc.
Baring Private Equity
CJ Group
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
GIC
Hahn & Co
Hanwha Group
IMM Private Equity
KCC Group
KDB Bank
KKR
Kakao Corporation
Lotte Group
MBK Partners
Mando Corporation
Meritz Securities
Mirae Asset Global Investments
PAG Advisors
Posco
SD Biosensor, Inc.
SJL Partners
SK Group
Sequoia Capital
Shinhan Financial Group
Stonebridge Capital
The Export-Import Bank of Korea
Well to Sea Investment
Woori Financial Group
Industries
Provided by Shin & Kim
Automobiles & Parts
Banks
Bio, Healthcare
Chemical
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Energy
Financial Services
Industrial Engineering
Insurance
Private Equity
Retail
Technology, Hardware & Electronics
Telecommunications
Transportation