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Lee & Ko Selected as Top-Tier Law Firm in MIP “2024 IP Stars” Rankings
Lee & Ko has been recognized as a top-tier firm in Managing IP's “2024 IP Stars” rankings in the categories of Trademark Disputes, Patent Disputes, Copyright & Related Rights, and IP Transactions. Particularly impressive is the firm’s performance in IP Transactions, where it has maintained the highest ranking for four consecutive years since the category was first introduced, further cementing its unparalleled expertise in this specialized field.

In the individual rankings, 12 attorneys and patent attorneys from the firm have been listed as "IP Stars," "Rising Stars," and "Notable Practitioners," showcasing their distinguished achievements in the patent field:


 Patent Star: Un Ho Kim, Jae Hoon Kim, Keum Nang Park, Hwan Sung Park
 Trademark Star: Jae Hoon Kim, Vera Eun Woo Lee, Sun Chang
 Rising star: Min Soo Kim, Min Wook Kim, Sung Hoon Kim
 Notable Practitioner: Seong Tahk Ahn, Kyung Jin Kim, Yikang Kang

Leveraging its extensive network with leading international law firms, Lee & Ko’s IP Group delivers superior legal services tailored to meet the specific needs of clients in patent disputes across the United States, Europe, Japan, and other countries, and helps clients navigate the complex legal landscape by offering practical and effective solutions drawn from its deep technical and scientific expertise, along with its comprehensive knowledge of the laws and rules governing patent litigation. The Group’s practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property, consistently achieving optimal outcomes in patent disputes and consultations across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, electrical and electronics, and secondary batteries. Some notable successes include its representation of OCI Holdings in a patent invalidation action, which led to a significant Supreme Court ruling on parameter inventions, successfully concluding a 7-year patent battle with a victory. It also provides robust support to Korean companies in U.S. patent infringement lawsuits, assisting clients at every stage of transactions and legal proceedings.

Managing Intellectual Property (Managing IP) is a leading publication in the field of intellectual property. It annually ranks leading IP law firms by country and practice area based on surveys and interviews with IP professionals worldwide.
2024.10.07
荣誉
Lee & Ko Awarded in 9 Areas including Asia Firm of the Year and South Korea Firm of the Year in the 'Asialaw Awards 2024'
Lee & Ko was honoured with the most awards among South Korean law firms by winning awards in 9 areas including ‘Asia Firm of the Year’ and ‘South Korea Firm of the Year’ in the 'Asialaw Awards 2024'. In particular, Lee & Ko has won both the ‘Asia Firm of the Year’ and ‘South Korea Firm of the Year’ Awards for the second consecutive years, and has demonstrated a clear difference from the second-ranked law firm, which has won 3 awards, by winning 10 awards in 9 areas.

Regional Awards
   Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year - Hyunjoo Oh
   Competition/Antitrust Firm of the Year
   Regulatory Firm of the Year

Jurisdictional Awards
   South Korea Firm of the Year
   South Korea Female Lawyer of the Year - Suruyn Kim

Editor’s Choice Awards
   Asia Firm of the Year
   Impact Deals and Cases
    - LG Chem $2 Billion Exchangeable Bonds: Largest Equity-Linked Issuance Since 2021
    - Google v. KFTC

Client Choice Awards
   South Korea Lawyer of the Year - Jeong Yoon Choi
   South Korea Honourable Mention Lawyer - Minhoo (Steve) Kim

In addition to winning the ‘Competition/Antitrust Firm of the Year’ and the ‘Regulatory Firm of the Year’ awards, Lee & Ko was selected as one of the ‘Impact Deals and Cases’ for LG Chem’s issuance of $2 Billion Exchangeable Bonds (Capital Market) and claims for damages due to Google’s violation of the Fair Trade Act (Google v. KFTC) (Litigation).

Furthermore, in the individual sector, Lee & Ko was recognised for its outstanding competence in various practice areas, as Lee & Ko attorney Hyunjoo Oh was selected as ‘Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year’ for lawyers in Asian region, attorney Suruyn Kim as ‘South Korea Female Lawyer of the Year’, attorney Jeong Yoon Choi as ‘Client Choice Awards-South Korea Lawyer of the Year’ and attorney Minhoo (Steve) Kim as ‘Client Choice Awards-South Korea Honourable Mention Lawyer’.

Recently selected as the best law firm in all 24 areas in the Asialaw’s annual assessment, Lee & Ko has further solidified its status as the best law firm in the Asia-Pacific region and South Korea.

Asialaw Award is given by Asialaw, which is an affiliate of the global financial journal Euromoney. Each year, the awards celebrate leading law firms across 11 practice areas, 7 industries and 23 jurisdictions in the Asia-Pacific region.
2024.10.02
荣誉
Tier 1 Law Firm in ALB ‘M&A Rankings 2024’
Lee & Ko has once again been recognized as a Tier 1 law firm in the M&A Rankings 2024 by Asian Legal Business(ALB).

In the run-up to the ALB rankings, Lee & Ko’s M&A Team has been honored with the ‘Best House Award’ at the 2nd DealSite IB Awards in recognition of its outstanding performance as a lead advisor on numerous M&A transactions, amid a weakened M&A market this year. The Team has also garnered the ‘Best Deal Award’ at the 15th Korea IB Awards, hosted by The Korea Economic Daily, for its pivotal role as a lead advisor in the acquisition of Osstem Implant by MBK Partners and UCK Consortium. These accolades complement Lee & Ko’s consistent top-tier rankings for its exceptional capabilities in handling M&A transactions, as recognized by leading domestic and international rating directories, including prestigious global publications such as the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide, Legal 500, Asialaw Profiles, and IFLR1000.

ALB, a legal magazine in the Asia-Pacific region under the global news services provider Thomson Reuters, annually evaluates and ranks law firms based on surveys and interviews with M&A professionals across 12 Asian countries.
2024.09.23
荣誉
Tier1 in All Practice Areas of IFLR1000


Lee & Ko has been selected as a Tier 1 firm in all 8 categories under the IFLR(International Financial Law Review) 1000 2024 edition and solidified its position once again for its high level of competence as a leading law firm in Korea. Lee & Ko has secured the highest ranking, a Tier1, in all practice areas for more than 13 consecutive years and 55 Lee & Ko professionals were recognized as ‘Leading Lawyers’ throughout all practice areas. Also, Hyunjoo Oh in the Banking & Finance Group for Lee & Ko has been honored to be selected as one of the “Women Leaders” for five consecutive years. Ms. Oh specializes in finance, with over 20 years of experience in the field of capital markets. In particular, she is an expert in all capital market transactions, including securities and derivatives transactions, as well as other finance-related areas such as capital market regulations, capital market disputes, and foreign exchange regulations.



Banking and Finance
Capital Markets: Debt
Capital Markets: Equity
Capital Markets: Structured Finance and Securitisation
M&A
Private Equity
Project Development
Restructuring and Insolvency


Banking and Finance: Sangwoo Ahn, Lachlan Barth, Yong-Jae Chang, Young Je Cho, Eun Sam Choi, Woo Young Jung, Kwang Yul Kim, Dong Eun Kim, Insoo Kim, Hyunsu Kim, Hun Ko, Myoung Chul Kwak, Myung Hyun Ryu, Yunjeong Seo, Tom Shin, Dong Seok Woo, Yeo Kyoon Yoon, Paul Hyun Joon Yoon
Capital Markets: Sae Ho Ahn, Hyunji Bae, Jun Woo Cho, Kyoung Jun Cho, Seung Hoon Choi, Wonkyu Han, Seunga Hyun, Donga Jung, Dongyon Kim, Jiseon Kim, Munsik Kim, Jin Hong Kwon, Hankyung Lee, Hyunjoo Oh
Corporate and M&A: Yong Seok Ahn, Da Hye Cho, Seok Pyo Hong, Sung Mee Hong, Hwan Jeong, Ki Wook Kang, Sanggon Kim, Sung Min Kim, Daehoon Koo, Gu Beom Kwon, Eunjai Lee, Je Won Lee, Hyeong Gun Lee, Kyu Wha Lee, Seung Hwan Lee, Ho Joon Moon, Kyu Seok Park, Kyung Gyoon Park
Investment Funds: Je Won Lee, Seung Hwan Lee
Project Development: Sangwoo Ahn, Lachlan Barth, Eun Sam Choi, Jinyoung Jung, Kwang Yul Kim, Insoo Kim, Hyunsu Kim, Jungmin Pak
Restructuring and Insolvency: Seok Pyo Hong, Sung Mee Hong, Eunjai Lee, Jung Hyun Lee, Wanshik Lee, Seung Hwan Lee, Jiwoong Lim

IFLR1000 is the only financial legal directory that evaluates the law firms and their attorneys worldwide based on their achievements in finance and corporate transactions.
2024.09.12
荣誉
Lee & Ko chosen as top law firm in all 24 sectors by ‘Asialaw Profiles 2024’


Lee & Ko was selected as an outstanding law firm in all 24 sectors (below) of ‘Asialaw Profiles’ for four consecutive years. Lee & Ko was recognized once again for its high level of competence as a leading law firm in Korea as it set apart from other domestic law firms that have only received outstanding rankings in certain fields.

Additionally, 44 Lee & Ko professionals were named Senior Statesman/ Elite Practitioner/ Distinguished Practitioner/ Notable Practitioner/ Rising Star and these individuals were provided special recognition for their expertise in the field.


   Industry Sectors
Aviation and Shipping
Consumer goods and Services
Industrials and Manufacturing
Insurance
Pharmaceuticals and Life sciences
Technology and Telecommunications
Banking and Financial services
Energy
Infrastructure
Media and Entertainment
Real estate

   Practice Areas
Banking and Finance
Competition/Antitrust
Corporate and M&A
Intellectual Property
Labour and Employment
Regulatory
Tax
Capital Markets
Construction
Dispute Resolution
Investment Funds
Private Equity
Restructuring and Insolvency


Banking and Financial services: Woo Young Jung, Yeo Kyoon Yoon, Yong-Jae Chang, Hyunjoo Oh, Seunga Hyun, Myoung Chul Kwak
Banking and Finance: Woo Young Jung, Yeo Kyoon Yoon, Yong-Jae Chang, Myoung Chul Kwak, Samsung Kim, Min Ha Song
Capital Markets: Hyunjoo Oh, Seunga Hyun
Competition/Antitrust: Yong Seok Ahn, Hwan Jeong, Hyun Chul Kim, Jeong-Ho Sun, Jeong Yoon Choi, Suruyn Kim
Corporate and M&A: Kyu Wha Lee, Sanggon Kim, Ho Joon Moon, Hyeong Gun Lee
Dispute Resolution: Won Seok Ko, Saemee Kim
Energy: Dong Eun Kim, Hun Ko, Tom Shin
Infrastructure: Dong Eun Kim, Hun Ko, Tom Shin, Samsung Kim, Min Ha Song
Insurance: Gidon Nam, Jinyoung Jung, Jin Hong Kwon
Intellectual Property: Jae Hoon Kim, Un Ho Kim, Keum Nang Park, Jaewoo Kwak
Labour and Employment: Sang Hoon Lee, Chang Soo Jin, Hyunseok Song , William Kim
Media and Entertainment: Kwang Bae Park
Real estate: Jung Hwan Lee
Restructuring and Insolvency: Wan Shik Lee, Eunjai Lee, Jung Hyun Lee
Shipping: Jinyoung Jung , Gidon Nam
Tax: Jay Shim, Ok Hyun Ma, Sung Hwan Kim
Technology and Telecommunications: Kwang Bae Park, Hwan Kyoung Ko, Samuel (Soon-Yub) Kwon, Yong Seok Ahn

Asialaw Profiles is published by Asialaw, which is an affiliate of the global financial journal Euromoney, and each year Asialaw Profiles ranks law firms and professionals in the Asia-Pacific region based on law firm submissions, interviews with lawyers and clients, and independent research and announces the results.
2024.09.12
Lee & Ko成员
Lee & Ko Adds Former ME Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination Lee Youn Seob as Senior Advisor
Lee & Ko welcomes Mr. Lee Youn Seob, a former Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Environment, as a senior advisor.

Mr. Lee holds impressive academic credentials, earning Bachelor’s degrees from the Civil Engineering Department at Hanyang University in Korea and the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University in the United States, as well as a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Hanyang University. Since passing the 25th National Technical Civil Service Examination in 1990, Mr. Lee has dedicated more than three decades to serving in several key positions within the Ministry of Environment, including the Senior Administrator for the Secretary to the President for Environment (dispatched), Director of General Services, Director General of Environmental Policy, and Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination.

Upon his retirement from public service, Mr. Lee transitioned to academia, where he lectured at both Kookmin University and Hanyang University as an adjunct professor and visiting scholar, respectively. He also took a role as a chairperson of the Environmental Monitoring Committee for SK Hynix and most recently as an environmental advisor at Samsung Electronics, where he oversaw ESG affairs.

With his remarkable 35 years of hands-on experience across various environmental disciplines, Mr. Lee is expected to bring unparalleled knowledge and practical insights to our Environmental Safety Team and further contribute to enhancing the team’s capabilities to provide advisory services on environmental matters.

Managing Partner Kim Sang Gon of Lee & Ko commented: “Our Environmental Safety Team offers tailored counsel on a wide range of environmental regulatory compliance matters, from conventional environmental litigation involving pollution to environmental permits and approvals, such as environmental impact assessments, integrated permits, etc. Given that there has been an increasing demand for expert guidance due to the growing prominence of ESG issues, our firm has recently enhanced advisory strengths within the Environmental Safety Team—one of the leading expert teams in Korea—by bringing on board Mr. Lee, a seasoned professional with substantial experience and profound expertise in the environmental sector. In addition, we are resolute in our goal to recruit and develop skilled professionals to ensure our commitment to providing exceptional legal services for our clients for years ahead.”
2024.09.03

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[The Korea Economic Daily] Lee & Ko Launches International Dispute Resolution Group Led by Attorney Eun Young Park
On October 7, 2024, the Korea Economic Daily reported that Lee & Ko newly launched the International Dispute Resolution Group, which will be under the leadership of Attorney Eun Young Park, who served as a former Vice President of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). The Korea Economic Daily stated that “Lee & Ko launched the International Dispute Resolution Group to provide comprehensive and integrated services in response to various international disputes including international arbitration and international litigation, and added Eun Young Park, an expert in international dispute resolution, to strengthen its capacity to handle international disputes”. It further mentioned that “Mr. Park will lead the firm’s International Dispute Resolution Group with expertise and experience in resolving a broad spectrum of international disputes, including international arbitration, over nearly three decades”. 
2024.10.07
[E-daily] Lee & Ko Honored with Most Awards among South Korean Law Firms including ‘Asia Firm of the Year’
On October 4, 2024, the E-daily reported that Lee & Ko won 10 awards in 9 areas including ‘Asia Firm of the Year’ and ‘South Korea Firm of the Year’ in the 'Asialaw Awards 2024'. The E-daily reported that in addition to “winning both the ‘Asia Firm of the Year’ and ‘South Korea Firm of the Year’ Awards for the second consecutive year”, Lee & Ko also won the ‘Competition/Antitrust Firm of the Year’, the ‘Regulatory Firm of the Year’ awards and was selected as one of the ‘Impact Deals and Cases’ for LG Chem’s issuance of $2 Billion Exchangeable Bonds (Capital Market) and claims for damages due to Google’s violation of the Fair Trade Act (Google v. KFTC) (Litigation). Furthermore, the firm was recognized for its outstanding competence in various practice areas Lee & Ko attorney Hyun Joo Oh was selected as ‘Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year’, attorney Suruyn Kim as ‘South Korea Female Lawyer of the Year’, attorney Jeong Yoon Choi as ‘Client Choice Awards-South Korea Lawyer of the Year’ and attorney Minhoo (Steve) Kim as ‘Client Choice Awards-South Korea Honourable Mention Lawyer’. 
2024.10.04
[E-daily] Upcoming Lee & Ko Seminar on October 11, 2024: "Discussing Key Issues such as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and Retirement Age Extension"
On October 2, 2024, E-daily reported on the upcoming a seminar hosted by Lee & Ko titled “2024 Second Half Seminar for Efficient Preparations in the Field of Industrial Relations.” This seminar will provide an in-depth exploration of key issues of interest to businesses, including the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, the extension of the retirement age, the expanded application of the Labor Standards Act, and workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
2024.10.02
[Yonhap News] South Korean Government: 'No Plans for Independent AI Regulator, Focusing on Basic Law'
On September 24, 2024, Yonhap News reported on Lee & Ko attorney Ko Hwan Kyoung's participation in the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information Broadcasting, and Communications Committee public hearing on the 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Basic Law'. Attorney Ko stated, "In a situation where we need to apply rapidly developing AI technology in the field and incorporate it into existing services and products to secure global competitiveness, a strong regulatory framework makes it difficult to prepare for competition or timely address risks associated with the technology."
2024.09.26

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BNK Financial Group Accountability Structure Project
In accordance with the implementation of “Responsibilities Map” under the amendment to the Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies of Korea, Lee & Ko provides advice on legal coherence for the BNK Financial Group as well as the subsidiaries of the BNK Financial Group with an aim to prepare or improve executives’ accountability statements, accountability systems, and management measures to fulfill their internal control and management obligations. As a large-scale compliance project at the financial group level, this project is of a great significance as a compliance project with respect to financial holding companies that control and encompass various business sectors such as banks, securities companies, and asset management companies. This project is a leading case to ensure reasonable and appropriate performance of duties on the part of senior management by referring to the UK’s Senior Management & Certification Regime.
2024.06.30
Successfully defended an injunction to prevent the government from enforcing a policy to increase a nationwide annual enrolment quota for medical schools
In May 2024Lee & Ko successfully represented the Ministry of Education(“MOE”) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare(“MOHW”), in the injunction case filed by professors and students of medical schools.

Faced with shortage of doctors, MOE and MOHW announced a policy to increase the annual enrolment quota for nationwide medical schools from 3,000 to 5,000 starting in 2025. In response to the government's policy, the medical students refused to attend classes and the doctors left the hospitals. In March 2024, Medical school professors and students applied for an injunction to prevent the government from enforcing the policy, arguing that the excessive increase in enrolment quota would seriously impede medical education. 

The trial court dismissed the case finding that the plaintiffs lacked standing to apply for the injunction in March 2024. However, the appellate court ordered the MOE and MOHW to submit evidence supporting the increase of the enrolment quota by 2,000. Given the significance of the matter, the MOE and MOHW retained Lee & Ko. Lee & Ko argued that the court should refuse to grant the injunction as the government sufficiently consulted with the medical community and the policy was essential for public welfare. In May 2024, after a thorough review of the records, the appellate court determined that the plaintiffs did have standing to file the lawsuit. However, the appellate court did not grant the injunction because granting the injunction would have a significant impact on public welfare.

The government's policy to increase the enrolment quota for medical schools was the most talked-about issue this year. As the decision acknowledges that the government's policy is essential for public welfare, it will assist the government in further pursuing its policy.
 
2024.05.31
The first case regarding the validity of an administrative order that cancelled a private investment business in the name of the public good
On behalf of Ilsan Grand Bridge Corp (“IGB”), Lee & Ko secured a winning award against Gyeonggi Province (the “Province”) in November 2022 in a lawsuit. The Appellate court also dismissed the appeal filed by the Province in May 2024.

IGB, a corporation established under the Act on Public-Private Partnerships (“PPP”) in Infrastructure (the “Act”) completed construction of Ilsan Bridge in 2008. The Province issued a business license granting IGB to manage the Ilsan Bridge for 30 years on the condition that IGB would transfer the title of the bridge to the Province after 30 years (According to IGB’s estimates, its expected profits from managing the Bridge until 2038 was USD 636 million). However, dissatisfaction among commuters grew as they needed to pay tolls to use the bridge. Around October 2021, the Province executed an administrative order to cancel IGB’s rights in the name of the public good and abolished the tolls.

Lee & Ko persuasively argued that even if the Province may cancel IGB’s business license under the Act, such administrative order must show that the public interest outweighs IGB’s right to a business license. Agreeing with Lee & Ko’s arguments, the court found that the administrative order lacked a clear public interest to revoke IGB’s rights and canceled the administrative order in November 2022. The Appellate Court affirmed the lower court’s decision in May 2024.

This case was the first case regarding the validity of an administrative order under the Act on which criteria the administrative order could be justified in the name of the public good, and thus will likely serve as an important precedent for the PPP projects.
 
2024.05.24
Securing a series of wins in a patent dispute involving the rare disease treatment Soliris®
On behalf of Samsung Bioepis, Lee & Ko’s Intellectual Property Practice Group prevailed in patent invalidation and infringement actions relating to Soliris®, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria treatment, thereby enabling Samsung Bioepis to launch its biosimilar on an earlier schedule.

Soliris® is a rare disease treatment developed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals (“Alexion”), a U.S. pharmaceutical company, and is an extremely expensive drug with annual costs borne by each patient reaching KRW 500 million (approx. USD 363,100).  Alexion, the patentee, held two registered patents for Soliris®, of which the composition patent expired in 2015, with only the use patent remaining at the time of the suit.  Last June, Samsung Bioepis preemptively filed an invalidation action against the use patent, and in response, Alexion filed a patent infringement suit against Samsung Bioepis.

Lee & Ko argued that the priority claim of the asserted patent should be denied and that there was a lack of novelty and inventive step.  The Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (the “IPTAB”) agreed and invalidated Alexion’s patent.  Alexion appealed the decision to the IP High Court, which affirmed the IPTAB’s decision, again siding with Lee & Ko’s arguments.  With Alexis deciding not to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, the determination on the patent invalidity became final and conclusive.  Samsung Bioepis also won in the patent infringement suit on the ground that the filing of the suit amounted to an abuse of patent rights based on an invalid patent.

Based on these wins, Samsung Bioepis obtained market approval for Epysqli®, a biosimilar of Soliris®, from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in January 2024 and successfully launched the product in Korea in April.
 
2024.04.25
Advising on the issuance by LG Electronics of overseas bonds in the amount of US$800 million.
Lee & Ko advised LG Electronics on the issuance of overseas bonds in the amount of US$800 million. 

By way of this transaction, LG Electronics is back on track after a gap of 17 years and solidified its position in the Korean Paper market. The bonds were issued in three-year and five-year fixed rate bonds respectively divided into US$500 million and US$300 million, with the five-year bonds issued in the form of a sustainability bond.

LG Electronics, breaking surface in the issuer market after a long pause, was well received by global investors in Asia, the U.S., and Europe, leading to the additional interest rate (spread) being set at the rate that is approximately 40bp lower than the initial price guide (IPG). The managers involved, amongst others, were BNP Paribas, Citigroup, HSBC, JP Morgan, Korea Development Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank.

In this transaction, Lee & Ko provided LG Electronics with a comprehensive and in-depth advice on and around the overall issuance on the basis of its review of applicable laws and regulations related to issuance, relevant contracts and offering circular, and government approvals and licenses. Thanks to its expertise accumulated through many years of experience, Lee & Ko provided advice swiftly and accurately and significantly contributed to the seamless and successful closing of the transaction.

In addition to the issuance of LG Electronics’ overseas bonds, Lee & Ko has been widely recognized for its proven expertise by taking part in the mainstream transactions in the Debt Capital Market area, including but not limited to the transactions involving the issuance of overseas bonds in the amount of US$600 million for Mirae Asset Securities, US$1 billion for Hyundai Capital, US$1.4 billion for Korea National Oil Corporation, US$600 million for Korea Ocean Business Corporation, US$600 million for KB Kookmin Bank, and US$500 million for Korea Expressway Corporation in the first half of 2024.
2024.04.24
International Arbitration Team Successfully Defends the Korean Government in USD 200 Million ISDS Case Against U.S.-Based Private Equity Firm Mason
Lee & Ko successfully represented the Korean government in an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) proceeding initiated by the U.S.-based private equity firm Mason Capital L.P. and Mason Management LLC (collectively referred to as “Mason”). Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration team secured a favorable award for the Korean government, significantly limiting the liability to merely 16% of Mason’s original claim, which was worth approximately USD 200 million (around KRW 277 billion). 

This dispute dates back to the 2015 merger between two Samsung Group affiliates, Samsung C&T Corp. and Cheil Industries Inc. Mason, a shareholder of Samsung C&T at the time, alleged in arbitration that the Korean government had unlawfully intervened and pressured the National Pension Service (NPS) to vote in favor of the merger. Mason claimed this intervention deprived them of the potential benefits from their Samsung C&T shares and sought USD 200 million in damages against the Korean government.

This high-profile ISDS case has drawn considerable media attention in the field of international arbitration due to its substantial claim amount, the involvement of multiple civil and criminal court cases, and the complex and challenging nature of the dispute, which spanned over five years since its initial filing in 2018. This case also notably involved a significant debate over the principle of fair and equitable treatment under the Korea-US FTA. This monumental and successful defense, culminating in a landmark decision, underscores Lee & Ko’s exceptional expertise in arbitration, accumulated from handling and representing the Korean government and other investors in various ISDS cases, the team’s meticulous examination of extensive documents, close cooperation with foreign law firms, and advanced legal acumen and strategic prowess in addressing multiple issues.
2024.04.11
Advising on Korean Air’s purchase of thirty three (33) A350 aircraft, the deal size approximately US$13.8 billion
Leading Korean law firm Lee & Ko have advised on Korean Air’s acquisition of a fleet of thirty-three (33) aircraft from Airbus SAS, comprising twenty-seven (27) units of A350-1000 model aircraft and six (6) units of A350-900 model aircraft. The aggregate value of the transaction stands at approximately US$13,700,000,000, which translates to approximately KRW18,173,000,000,000.

Lee & Ko have assisted the client from the outset of the transaction, advising on terms of the relevant legal documentation and related issues from a strategic and holistic perspective. Across a number of agreements, Lee & Ko provided instrumental advice in a timely fashion so that material issues could be identified and commercially appropriate solutions found for them by reference to Lee & Ko’s cumulative expertise and market knowledge.

Lee & Ko have provided forward-looking advice spanning multiple stages of the aircraft’s life beyond the initial purchase. Lee & Ko proactively identified issues which could potentially arise in the future, such as those concerning aircraft delivery or advance payments, and proposed commercially attuned solutions, thereby enhancing the client’s capacity to manage its commercial contracts and its relationships with important stakeholders and its capacity to anticipate and resolve issues ahead of time.
2024.03.21

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