Employment
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : South Korea
Band 1
About
Provided by Shin & Kim
Our Labor and Employment Practice Group is comprised of professionals, including former officials at the Ministry of Labor, dedicated to advising on all aspects of labor and employment-related issues. This includes business-as-usual advice to ensure our clients are compliant generally, or more specific advice required as part of a M&A or restructuring transaction.
The Labor and Employment Practice Group has a wealth of knowledge and experience advising on individual and collective labor relationships, due diligence, workforce restructuring, trade secrets, employment discrimination, employment disputes, internal investigations & audits, administrative proceedings, employment policies & agreements and compensation & benefits. The scope and depth of the Labor and Employment Practice Group’s expertise allows us to provide creative and strategic advice tailored to our clients’ labor and employment needs in a comprehensive and efficient manner.
Chambers Review
Shin & Kim is an established Korean law firm that maintains a stellar reputation for labour and employment litigation, including advice on employee status, ordinary wage cases, workplace accident claims and labour union disputes. Well equipped to advise on regulatory matters and labour inspections carried out by the Ministry of Employment and Labour, it regularly advises blue-chip domestic and foreign companies, banks and public bodies. Its key clients include Bank of Korea, Valeo Electrical Systems Korea and Lotte GRS.
Work Highlights
- Shin & Kim acted for The Bank of Korea in a lawsuit concerning working hours issues initiated by its security guards. The plaintiffs claimed day/night hours on watch and standby, time preparing for work, and lunch hours were all qualified as working hours, hence additional wages should be paid. The firm also assisted The Bank of Korea with the restructuring of its working hour system of the security guards in order to mitigate the legal risk in the future.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The advice from the firm was very business and commercially oriented, and was never purely theoretical or impractical. The advice was geared for the client to find a solution to its problems."
"We were impressed by the work of the team, which had a good understanding of Korean labour-related laws and the industrial relations situation in Korean companies, professional insights into complex labour issues, and professional negotiation skills."
"The advice from the firm was very business and commercially oriented, and was never purely theoretical or impractical. The advice was geared for the client to find a solution to its problems."
"We were impressed by the work of the team, which had a good understanding of Korean labour-related laws and the industrial relations situation in Korean companies, professional insights into complex labour issues, and professional negotiation skills."
Notable Practitioners
Kim Dong Wook is the head of the labour and employment practice group at Shin & Kim. He is reputed for undertaking a variety of Korean employment law matters, including advising on collective bargaining, as well as health and safety matters.
"He has industry-leading knowledge and experience in labour-related matters, and always tries to get the best solution considering the customer's point of view."
"Attorney Kim is considered the best labour law lawyer in Korea. During legal counselling, you feel that he has a very high level of legal knowledge and experience."
Ki Young Seok is a partner at Shin & Kim in Seoul. He showcases a strong involvement in advisory matters, including investigations, restructuring and review of employment documents.
"Mr Ki has an abundance of expertise in labour and employment law as well as compliance-related matters. He is an expert litigator who knows how to achieve the best results for the client, even in difficult cases."
"Young-Seok Ki has a wealth of experience and covers major points well while being cooperative. Also, he creates a strategic and logical argument for the case."
Anthony Chang is a foreign attorney based in Seoul. He shows strong involvement in employment advisory work and investigations.
"Anthony is very excellent at his work. As he has spent a long time as an in-house counsel, he knows how to communicate and deliver his advice to the clients."
"Anthony is very commercially minded and aware, and is adept at providing creative and efficient solutions to my company."
Lee Se Ry is a Seoul-based partner at Shin & Kim. She is particularly noted for her focus on workplace harassment, and regularly leads investigations, training sessions and advisory reviews related to this issue.
Jong Soo Kim advises clients on an array of advisory and contentious Korean employment law matters, including illegal dispatch, employee status claims and incentive scheme-related issues.
"We are satisfied with the legal services. He always treats his clients with kindness and provides clear answers to their legal questions."
Ranked Lawyers at
Shin & Kim
South Korea
Members
Provided by Shin & Kim
Byung Han Lee
Head of Department
Hye-young Yun
Jong-Hyun Kim
Seongki Park
Woo-Yong Song
Clients
Provided by Shin & Kim
Bank of Korea
ByteDance
CBRE Korea
Continental Automotive
Government of Korea
Hanwha Life Insurance
Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance
Hyundai Motor
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Securities Co., Ltd.
KB Securities
KT&G Corporation
Korea Broadcasting System (KBS)
Korea Electric Power Corporation
Korea Rail Road Corporation (KORAIL)
Lotte Asahi Liquor
Lotte GRS
Novotech
SK Hynix
Samsung C&T Corporation
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance
Sejong Hotel
Seoul Guarantee Insurance Company
Ssangyong Motor Company
Sungrak Church
Valeo Electrical Systems Korea
Vestiaire Collective
eCredible
Industries
Provided by Shin & Kim
Automobiles & Parts
Banks
Commercial & Professional Services
Energy
Engineering, Construction, Trading, Investment, Fashion and Resort
Financial Services
Food retail and distribution
Government
Government
Hotels
Industrial Engineering
Insurance
Manufacturing
Mining & Metals
Real Estate
Securities
Software & Computer Services
Technology, Hardware & Electronics
Transportation