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Partner
| TEL |
+82-2-772-5922 |
| E-MAIL |
mingu.kim@leeko.com |
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Mingu Kim is an attorney in the Tax Practice Group at Lee & Ko, where he advises domestic and multinational clients on a wide range of Korean and cross-border tax matters, including international tax planning, tax controversy, tax audits, criminal tax defense, and strategic transaction structuring.
Mr. Kim has substantial experience representing clients in high-stakes tax litigation and administrative appeals before Korean courts and tax authorities. He also provides sophisticated tax advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, private equity investments, real estate transactions, and cross-border business operations.
His practice spans diverse industries, including technology, energy, automotive, construction, insurance, entertainment, financial services, securities, and asset management. He regularly advises multinational corporations, Korean conglomerates, private equity funds, nonprofit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals on complex and sensitive tax matters.
Education
| 2024 |
Columbia Law School - LL.M. |
| 2020 |
Seoul National University, School of Law - Ph.D. Program (Tax Law) (coursework completed) |
| 2015 |
Seoul National University School of Law - J.D. |
| 2012 |
Seoul National University - B.A. in Economics |
Work Experience
| 2018-Present |
Lee & Ko |
| 2025-Present |
Author, International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) |
| 2015-2018 |
Public Service Advocate, National Tax Service of Korea |
Expertise
| International Tax |
| Finance Tax |
| Tax Appeal |
| Tax Litigation |
| Criminal Tax Defense |
| Corporate |
| Litigation & Arbitration |
| General Tax Consulting and Strategic Advisory Services |
Admissions & Qualifications
| Admitted to the Korean Bar(2015) |
| Passed the New York State Bar(2024) |
Languages
Representative Cases
[International Tax]
- Advised a French energy company on Korean VAT treatment of domestic business operations and successfully obtained an advance tax ruling
- Advised a Swiss blockchain company on the conversion of its Korean branch into a subsidiary
- Advised Korean securities firms and foreign funds (Singapore, UK) on corporate income tax and VAT issues
- Assisted Hong Kong and other foreign entities with Korean tax filings, including corporate tax and securities transaction tax
- Successfully represented multiple global companies in litigation involving unregistered patent royalty taxation in Korea
[General Tax Advise]
- Advised major Korean telecommunications, retail, and real estate development companies on tax issues relating to joint operating organizations
- Advised Korean construction, retail, and securities companies on executive compensation, performance-based incentives, and retirement benefits
- Conducted tax diagnostics and obtained advance rulings for a securities company regarding CFC deemed dividend issues, resulting in successful tax refund claims
- Advised on intercompany transactions within corporate groups
- Advised on tax aspects of corporate formations, mergers, and spin-offs
[Real Estate and Infrastructure]
- Advised a Singapore-based fund on tax-efficient real estate investment structures using Korean PFVs
- Conducted tax due diligence for real estate acquisitions
- Advised on VAT registration and compliance in connection with PFV establishments
- Advised on tax and accounting issues relating to real estate investments and exits, including corporate tax, VAT, local taxes, and consolidated accounting matters
- Represented PFVs and real estate funds in tax litigation involving corporate income tax deductions, VAT exemptions, and acquisition tax assessments
[Tax Controversy]
- Represented Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation and Seoul in a VAT litigation resulting in reversal and remand by the Supreme Court
- Represented the controlling family of Korean conglomerate in inheritance and gift tax litigation, achieving a favorable judgment
- Represented a global IT Company in corporate income tax litigation, prevailing against the tax authority
- Represented major Korean construction company in corporate income tax litigation, prevailing against the tax authority
- Represented 12 Korean securities corporations in litigation involving withholding tax liabilities
[Inheritance and Gift Tax]
- Advised and represented Korean pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies in business succession planning and related litigation
- Advised on and defended against related-party transaction (tunneling) tax issues
- Represented a controlling family of a materials company in gift tax audits and appeals involving deemed gifts to specified corporations
- Successfully represented high-net-worth individuals in inheritance tax litigation arising from estate division disputes
- Represented clients in gift tax disputes involving IPOs, new share issuances, stock options, and equity transfers
[Tax Audit]
- Represented a U.S.-based venture capital firm in a Korean tax audit
- Represented major Korean telecommunications and construction companies in comprehensive tax investigations
- Represented a mid-sized Korean chemical company in a corporate tax audit
Publications / Presentations / ETC
- International Tax Case Law Studies (Co-author, Pak Young Sa, 2024)
- Country Report on “Good Faith in Domestic and International Tax Law”, IFA Cahiers, Vol. 107 (IFA Cancun Congress 2023)
- Korean Foreign Investment Rules Seek to Clarify Beneficial Ownership (Tax Note International, 2023)
- European Vat Law (Korean translation, co-translator, Pak Young Sa, 2021)