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Lee & Ko Ranked Band 1 in Chambers High Net Worth 2026
Lee & Ko has once again been recognized as a Band 1 law firm in the Private Wealth Law category of Chambers High Net Worth 2026, published by Chambers and Partners. In the individual rankings, dispute resolution specialist Dong Ha Kim was ranked in Band 1 for the third consecutive year.

Lee & Ko recently secured a successful outcome in a USD 2 billion arbitration on behalf of a major shareholder of a Korean company. The firm also regularly advises on complex regulatory matters and represents chairpersons of leading Korean conglomerates in high-stakes disputes arising from corporate restructurings and reorganizations.

Drawing on its extensive expertise across a broad range of practice areas, Lee & Ko advises the owners and senior executives of major Korean conglomerates, as well as their families, on a wide range of legal and tax matters relating to the accumulation, management, transfer, and protection of personal wealth.

Dong Ha Kim, a leading dispute resolution practitioner at Lee & Ko, has been recognized as a Band 1 lawyer for the third consecutive year. Mr. Kim has extensive experience in both corporate advisory work and litigation. His principal areas of practice include commercial litigation, corporate law, healthcare, construction and real estate, government contracts, and family law.

Chambers High Net Worth is a leading international legal directory focusing on the private wealth sector and covers more than 55 jurisdictions, including Korea.
2026.08.03
荣誉
Su Jin Jung Named to "ALB Asia Top Female Lawyers 2026"
Su Jin Jung, a leading partner in Lee & Ko’s Litigation Group, has been named to Asian Legal Business (ALB) Asia Top Female Lawyers 2026, in recognition of her standing as a leading female practitioner in Asia and her success in major disputes, including the SK Telecom personal data breach case.

Ms. Jung joined Lee & Ko in 2023 after 20 years on the bench. Drawing on that experience, she has developed exceptional expertise across a broad range of complex disputes, including fair trade litigation, criminal cases arising from serious industrial and occupational accidents, personal data protection litigation, and corporate control disputes. She has secured acquittals in a series of such criminal cases, including the SK Multi Utility and SAMPYO Group cases, two of Korea's most significant serious accident cases, and the industrial accident case involving Samsung Electronics' Giheung facility. The SK Multi Utility case resulted in the first acquittal under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act involving an affiliate of a major Korean conglomerate, while the SAMPYO Group case attracted nationwide attention as one of the first major cases arising from a serious accident occurring after the Act took effect. She also leads a number of fair trade administrative litigation matters concerning abuse of market dominance, unfair trade practices, and violations of the Fair Transactions in Subcontracting Act. Ms. Jung further contributed to achieving a balanced resolution in dispute mediation proceedings before the Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission in connection with the SK Telecom personal data breach and has obtained timely and favorable decisions in several preliminary injunction proceedings arising from corporate control disputes.

Published by Thomson Reuters, a leading global provider of legal news and information, Asian Legal Business (ALB) is a premier legal publication covering the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, ALB selects its Top Female Lawyers from 13 jurisdictions across Asia, including Korea, Japan, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, recognizing women lawyers who have achieved outstanding results over the course of their careers.
2026.07.22
荣誉
Lee & Ko’s Vera Eun Woo Lee Named to Managing IP’s Top 250 Women in IP 2026


Vera Eun Woo Lee, a partner in Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group, has been named to Managing IP’s Top 250 Women in IP 2026. This recognition reflects her outstanding achievements in intellectual property law, including her successful representation of a major distribution company in a trademark infringement action seeking injunctive relief and damages.

Since joining Lee & Ko in 2004, Ms. Lee has advised and represented clients across the full spectrum of intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, unfair competition, IP licensing, and employee inventions. She has also played a leading role in precedent-setting disputes involving novel issues arising from technological developments and evolving social trends.

Ms. Lee’s notable track record includes a landmark trademark infringement case on behalf of a major distribution company, as well as a wide range of complex and first-of-their-kind disputes involving copyright and unfair competition issues. These include a Supreme Court case that established important standards for copyright infringement involving game-related works, as well as cases concerning the scope of protection for copyrighted photographs and the unauthorized use of a long-standing mark.

Managing Intellectual Property, also known as Managing IP, is a leading publication in the intellectual property field. Each year, it recognizes senior female IP practitioners with outstanding accomplishments based on research and surveys of IP professionals worldwide.
2026.07.13
荣誉
Lee & Ko Wins the Most Awards Among Korean Law Firms at the Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2026
Lee & Ko received a total of five awards at the Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2026, including ‘Labour and Employment Firm of the Year,’ ‘South Korea Lawyer of the Year’ and ‘Client Choice – South Korea Firm of the Year,’ earning the distinction of being the most awarded Korean law firm at this year’s awards.

In the Practice Area Firm Awards category, which recognizes one leading law firm across the Asia-Pacific region in each of 11 practice areas, Lee & Ko was named ‘Labour and Employment Firm of the Year,’ underscoring the firm’s exceptional expertise in labour and employment law. Among its many notable achievements, Lee & Ko’s Labour and Employment Group successfully defended one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers before the Supreme Court against serious allegations of illegal worker dispatch, thereby protecting the client’s business operations. The group also represented a major global automobile manufacturer in matters concerning an employer’s disciplinary authority and procedures.

In the ‘Lawyer of the Year – South Korea’ category, Lee & Ko’s Taeyop Lee was recognized for his outstanding achievements and contributions. Before joining Lee & Ko, Mr. Lee served as a public prosecutor, gaining extensive investigative experience in special investigations, finance and taxation, customs and foreign exchange, intellectual property—including trade secrets—and the healthcare and food sectors. Drawing on this background, he now leads criminal defense and general litigation matters at the firm involving intellectual property and trade secrets, personal information protection, broadcasting and telecommunications, foreign exchange and customs, and healthcare. In particular, he has built a strong reputation for guiding clients through major corporate criminal matters involving finance, trade secrets and serious accidents, consistently securing favorable outcomes and delivering the highest level of protection for his clients’ interests.

Lee & Ko also received the ‘Impact Case of the Year’ award for its representation of HSBC Bank in a criminal short-selling case. In that case, the firm persuaded the court to adopt a reasonable interpretation of the short-selling provisions under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and secured a not-guilty verdict for its client.
In addition, Lee & Ko was named ‘South Korea Firm of the Year’ in the Client Choice Awards, which were announced in conjunction with the Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards, while Foreign Attorney Steve Minhoo Kim was recognized as ‘South Korea Honourable Mention Lawyer of the Year.’ Based on client feedback and evaluations, the Client Choice Awards recognize excellence in client service. These accolades further demonstrate Lee & Ko’s differentiated client service and the high level of trust it has earned from its clients.

Benchmark Litigation is a globally renowned publication focusing on dispute resolution and litigation. Each year, it publishes rankings based on in-depth analysis of law firm submissions, as well as interviews with lawyers, clients and litigation experts.
2026.07.06
荣誉
Attorney Jin Hun Kim Recognized in Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific's 'Top 40 Under 40 2026'
Lee & Ko Attorney Jin Hun Kim has been selected for Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific’s ‘Top 40 Under 40 2026’ in recognition of his outstanding achievements, including his success in a claim valued at approximately KRW 106 billion brought on behalf of the Banpo Jugong Apt. Complex 1 — Districts 1, 2 and 4 — Housing Reconstruction Project Association against the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, seeking registration of transfer of ownership on the grounds of completed acquisitive prescription by possession.

Mr. Kim is a construction and real estate specialist whose practice focuses on litigation and advisory work relating to urban improvement projects, including redevelopment and reconstruction. He has built a strong track record of favorable outcomes across the full spectrum of project-related matters, including injunctions prohibiting general meetings, halting bidding procedures or suspending the performance of official duties; civil actions confirming contractor status and seeking damages; and administrative litigation to invalidate association establishment authorizations or rescind management and disposal plans.

He also achieved the distinction of having a constitutional complaint, filed on behalf of a housing reconstruction project association, referred to the Full Bench of the Constitutional Court — only the second such case since the mechanism was introduced. Most recently, he prevailed on behalf of the Banpo Jugong Apt. Complex 1 Housing Reconstruction Project Association in a claim valued at approximately KRW 106 billion for registration of transfer of ownership based on completed acquisitive prescription by possession. His expertise, capabilities and demonstrated track record have earned him a place on Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific’s ‘Top 40 Under 40 2026.’

Benchmark Litigation, published by Delinian, formerly Euromoney, is a globally renowned publication focusing on dispute resolution and litigation. Its ‘Top 40 Under 40’ list recognizes 40 outstanding lawyers under the age of 40 in the Asia-Pacific region based on extensive research and evaluation.
2026.07.06
荣誉
Attorneys Keum Nang Park and Miji Lee Named to Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific’s ‘Top 100 Women in Litigation 2026’
Lee & Ko Attorneys Keum Nang Park of the Healthcare Group have been named to Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific’s ‘Top 100 Women in Litigation 2026’ in recognition of their outstanding achievements in healthcare-related patent and regulatory disputes, as well as major competition law matters.

Ms. Park serves as Co-Head of Lee & Ko’s Healthcare Group, advising clients on intellectual property matters—including pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents—as well as a broad range of regulatory matters involving the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Ministry of Environment. She brings deep and wide-ranging expertise across the healthcare industry, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, food, dietary supplements and household chemical products. Ms. Park was named to this year’s list in recognition of her success in defending market exclusivity on behalf of the patent holder of a world-renowned cardiovascular blockbuster drug, prevailing in more than 100 patent suits brought by numerous generic manufacturers. Her selection also reflects her achievements in protecting patent rights in litigation involving a widely used blockbuster biologic for chronic inflammatory disease and a prominent blockbuster biologic for ophthalmic disease.

Benchmark Litigation, published by Delinian, formerly Euromoney, is a globally renowned publication focusing on dispute resolution and litigation. Its annual ‘Top 100 Women in Litigation’ list recognizes 100 leading female litigators in the Asia-Pacific region based on months of in-depth research and analysis.
2026.07.06

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[Money Today] Lee & Ko Named Korea’s Most-Awarded Law Firm at Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2026
On July 8, 2026, Money Today reported on Lee & Ko’s recognition at the Asia-Pacific Awards 2026, hosted by Benchmark Litigation, a world-renowned publication known for its rankings in dispute resolution and litigation. Lee & Ko earned honors across five categories, including Labour and Employment Firm of the Year, South Korea Lawyer of the Year, and Client Choice – South Korea Firm of the Year, cementing its position as the most-awarded law firm in Korea.
2026.07.08
[Seoul Economic Daily] From HD Hyundai's Shipbuilding Merger to Petrochemical Restructuring: The Deal Architect Behind Complex Transactions
July 8, 2026
Attorney Hyoung Geun Hong of Lee & Ko has been named as one of the "Best Lawyers of the First Half of 2026" selected by Seoul Economic Daily Signal. Seoul Economic Daily emphasized, “Hyoung Geun Hong is a go-to advisor behind major M&A transactions involving Korea's leading conglomerates, having led deals such as LG Chem's sale of its Water Solutions business and CJ Freshway's acquisition of Marketboro. 
2026.07.08
[News1] An Untold Advocate for A-Frame Carrier Corps Veterans to Refugees, Behind a Thriving Corporate Lawyer
On July 6, 2026, News1 featured an interview with Lee & Ko attorney Seok Pyo Hong, describing him as a distinguished professional specializing in insolvency and rehabilitation who has also dedicated himself to pro bono activities for 16 years since entering practice. The article highlighted two landmark cases that reflect his commitment: securing the first-ever ruling recognizing a member of the so-called “A-Frame Carrier Corps” under the Korean Service Corps (KSC) as a veteran and obtaining a precedent-setting decision in which a Korean court, for the first time, acknowledged the practice of “recycling,” the repeated re-arrest of Egyptian refugees.
2026.07.06
[Money Today] From Fake Investment Chatrooms Featuring Jae-seok Yu to Ji Hye Lee’s Lingerie Ads… “Deceptively Real” Publicity Rights Under Threat
July 4, 2026 
Attorney Tae Joo Kim of Lee & Ko was featured in Money Today. In the article, Kim discussed publicity rights during an appearance on the YouTube channel DouzoneTV, explaining, “The right to commercially use an individual's identifying attributes—such as their name, image, or voice—is known as the 'right of publicity.' It gives individuals, particularly celebrities, the exclusive right to authorize the commercial use of their identity. While the concept is not yet widely known, Korean law recognizes and protects these rights. Accordingly, fabricated advertisements that exploit a celebrity's name or likeness without authorization may constitute an infringement of the right of publicity."
2026.07.04

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Sale of Korean Air C&D Services by Hahn & Company Air Services Holdings
On March 12, 2026, Hahn & Company Air Services Holdings entered into a share purchase agreement with Korean Air, under which Hahn & Company agreed to sell its entire stake, representing 80% of the total issued shares, in Korean Air C&D Services Co., Ltd. (“KC&D”) to Korean Air for KRW 750 billion. The transaction is expected to close after June 2026. 

Lee & Ko advised Hahn & Company from the earliest stages of the transaction and led the deal throughout its entirety, providing comprehensive and timely advice across every phase. This included reviewing the transaction structure, preparing responses and materials for the buyer’s requests for information, developing negotiation strategy, and conducting legal analysis of the relevant issues in connection with the buy-side due diligence process, as well as drafting, negotiating, and executing the transaction documentation, including the MOU, NDA, and share purchase agreement. 

Given the circumstances of the parties, the transaction required a number of complex issues to be resolved within a tight timeframe. The parties held differing positions on key points of negotiation, including the purchase price adjustment, the refinancing structure for the acquisition financing, and special indemnification provisions, calling for careful and deliberate negotiation. Throughout this process, Lee & Ko worked closely with the client to understand its objectives, proposed practical alternatives and optimal solutions, and helped strike a balanced outcome in the negotiations, contributing to the successful execution of the agreement within a limited timeframe.
 
2026.06.30
Lee & Ko Secures Acquittal of Mirae Asset Affiliates in Criminal Appeal Concerning Alleged Undue Benefits to a Specially Related Party
Lee & Ko successfully secured a full acquittal at both the trial and appellate levels for Mirae Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd. and Mirae Asset Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Mirae Affiliates”) in a criminal case alleging violations of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act (“MRFTA”).

The prosecution alleged that the Mirae Affiliates unfairly allocated business to golf courses operated by an affiliate with a high ownership ratio held by a specially related party, thereby conferring undue benefits. The trial court rendered a full acquittal on January 16, 2025, and Lee & Ko prevailed again on appeal on October 24, 2025. The appellate ruling is particularly noteworthy given that related administrative litigation, after dismissal by the Seoul High Court, remains pending before the Supreme Court.

The principal issue in the criminal proceedings was whether the Mirae Affiliates possessed the requisite criminal intent to confer, or to tolerate the conferral of, undue benefits upon a specially related party through the use of group-owned golf courses.

Lee & Ko argued that establishing criminal intent with respect to abstract legal concepts under the MRFTA requires strict and careful proof. The firm emphasized that criminal liability should not be imposed where corporate group-level decisions reflect reasonable business judgment. Lee & Ko demonstrated that the use of group-owned golf courses formed part of a rational asset management strategy and that there was no intent or acceptance of conferring undue benefits.

Through meticulous review of documentary evidence and extensive witness examination, Lee & Ko successfully established the absence of criminal intent. The decision is particularly significant given the limited criminal precedent concerning the conferral of undue benefits to specially related parties. The appellate court clarified that criminal intent cannot be inferred solely from formal considerations, such as a high ownership ratio of a specially related party or the mere potential for indirect advantages in management succession, and underscored the need for caution in recognizing intent in the context of abstract statutory concepts under the MRFTA.

 
2026.06.25
LAAA Investment (an SPC of Petrico Partners PE)’s Acquisition of Kakao Games
Lee & Ko advised Petrico Partners PE on the acquisition, through LAAA Investment (“SPC”), of a controlling stake in Kakao Games, a KOSDAQ-listed company, leading the transaction from the execution of the share purchase agreement, new share subscription agreement, and convertible bond subscription agreement on March 24, 2026, through to closing on June 19, 2026. The transaction consisted of (i) the SPC's purchase of 18,107,732 existing shares of Kakao Games from Kakao, the seller, for approximately KRW 248 billion, (ii) the SPC's subscription for 17,458,354 new shares issued by Kakao Games through a third-party allotment for approximately KRW 240 billion, and (iii) the SPC's subscription for approximately KRW 60 billion in unregistered, unsecured, privately placed convertible bonds issued by Kakao Games. Following closing, the SPC became the largest shareholder of Kakao Games, holding approximately 33.43%, with Kakao remaining as the second-largest shareholder, holding approximately 14.68%.

The transaction involved the acquisition of Kakao Games, a KOSDAQ-listed company, through an SPC jointly invested in with a strategic investor, requiring prompt coordination with the strategic investor on investment terms. The deal was also highly complex in structure, combining the subscription of new shares and convertible bonds issued by a listed company, which required careful review of the related legal issues and their reflection in both the transaction structure and the transaction documents.

Lee & Ko represented the SPC as buyer and successfully carried out a wide range of work across the transaction, including legal due diligence, drafting, review, revision, and negotiation support for the share purchase agreement, new share subscription agreement, convertible bond subscription agreement, and the acquisition financing loan and security agreements, negotiation of terms relating to W&I insurance, business combination filings, and coordination with the exchange on disclosure matters relating to the listed company.
 
2026.06.19
Lee & Ko Advises on HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering’s USD 1.55 Billion Overseas Exchangeable Bond Offering
Lee & Ko advised HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd., the intermediate holding company for the shipbuilding business of HD Hyundai Group, on its USD 1.55 billion overseas exchangeable bond offering. The bonds are exchangeable into common shares of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. held by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and the offering was successfully completed amid strong interest from global investors in Korea’s shipbuilding industry. The transaction attracted significant market attention as a large-scale overseas exchangeable bond offering involving shares of a key listed subsidiary of one of Korea’s leading shipbuilding groups.

Overseas exchangeable bond offerings require comprehensive review of various Korean law issues, including disclosure requirements relating to the exchange property, determination of the exchange price, exchange procedures, foreign exchange regulations and capital markets regulations. Lee & Ko provided comprehensive legal advice to the issuer throughout the transaction, including Korean law review of the offering structure, review of transaction documents and the offering circular, and advice on disclosure and governmental approval matters. Following its advice on LG Chem’s USD 2 billion overseas exchangeable bond offering in 2025, Lee & Ko once again demonstrated its strong expertise in overseas equity-linked bond offerings by Korean companies through its successful representation in this large-scale transaction.
2026.05.29
NICE Information Service Obtained Vietnam's First Credit Information License Granted to a 100% Foreign Invested Enterprise
Lee & Ko successfully represented NICE Credit Information ("NICE CI"), the Vietnamese entity of NICE Information Service, in obtaining a Credit Information License from the State Bank of Vietnam. This license is the 4th Credit Information License ever issued by the State Bank of Vietnam, and it carries particular significance as the first Credit Information License granted to a 100% Foreign Invested Enterprise. With this license, NICE CI has secured the legal basis to become the only foreign invested enterprise in Vietnam authorized to provide credit information services.

Following the filing of the license application around July 2025, the license approval was granted in an unusually short period of time. Since the filing, Lee & Ko Vietnam team has supported the licensing process on a range of practical matters, including analysis of Vietnam law, regulatory trends concerning the credit information business, and IT infrastructure requirements. Throughout the process, Lee & Ko Vietnam team maintained close communication with both the client and officials of the State Bank of Vietnam and responded promptly to the requests.

Vietnamese financial institutions have not yet developed credit information infrastructure or data based risk management systems comparable to those in Korea. NICE CI's successful entry into the Vietnamese market is expected to bring credit information services to the market based on objective data, such as early warning systems (EWS) and fraud detection systems (FDS). This is expected to help strengthen the risk management capabilities and infrastructure of the Vietnamese financial sector going forward.

The Lee & Ko Vietnam team previously advised IBK Industrial Bank of Korea on its application to establish a local subsidiary in Vietnam, as well as Korea Development Bank's Hanoi branch in obtaining its final license. Building on this track record, the Lee & Ko Vietnam team has now also successfully completed this matter for NICE Information Service, securing Vietnam's first Credit Information License granted to a foreign invested enterprise This further demonstrates Lee & Ko Vietnam team's practical expertise, local network, and ability to handle matters swiftly in support of Korean financial institutions expanding into the Vietnamese market.
 
2026.05.20
Sale of Controlling Stake in Douzone Bizon
Douzone Bizon, one of Korea's largest software developers, is known for its ERP software as well as its mobile solutions, cybersecurity, and groupware services. The seller decided to transfer control of the company to a buyer capable of growing it into a global software developer.

The transaction combined a controlling stake sale with a voluntary delisting effected through a tender offer, presenting a number of intricate legal and structural challenges. Recent amendments to the Korean Commercial Code, which expanded directors’ fiduciary duties and strengthened protections for minority shareholders, required the transaction to carefully balance the interests of both controlling and minority shareholders. The involvement of multiple sellers with differing priorities also meant that the deal structure was the subject of extended discussion and was revised on several occasions

Throughout the process, Lee & Ko coordinated the interests of the sellers, proposed an efficient transaction structure, and led the drafting and negotiation of the transaction documents. Following receipt of the requisite government approvals earlier in the year, the transaction closed on March 26, 2026.
 
2026.03.26
LS MnM’s Investment in PT Teluk Metal Industry, an Indonesian Non-Ferrous Metal Manufacturer
Lee & Ko advised LS MnM on its investment of USD 400 million (approximately KRW 590 billion) in PT Teluk Metal Industry (“PT TMI”), an Indonesian company operating a newly established nickel smelting business, through a combination of new share subscriptions and shareholder loans.

The transaction forms part of LS MnM’s broader expansion into the battery materials business. LS MnM's decision to acquire an interest in PT TMI in Indonesia was aimed at securing a stable production base for nickel sulfate, a key material used in the cathode of secondary batteries. The transaction was subject to a particularly elevated degree of complexity compared to typical deals, given the extensive regulatory issues involved under Indonesian law relating to foreign investment, environmental compliance, plant establishment, and industrial complex construction. Addressing these regulatory issues required a phased investment structure involving common shares, preferred shares, and shareholder loans, together with a series of related commercial agreements negotiated between the parties.

 
2026.02.27

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