Attorney Leem Hansol Presents on "Key Legal Issues in the Current Tax System for Treasury Shares and Outlook Following the Introduction of the 3rd Amendment to the Commercial Act" at the Joint Academic Conference of the Korean Tax Law Association and the Tax Future Forum

At the joint academic conference held on April 17, 2026 (Friday), at Korea University Law School, organized by the Korean Tax Law Association and the Tax Future Forum, Hansol Leem, an attorney at Lee & Ko, delivered a presentation titled "Key Legal Issues in the Current Tax System for Treasury Shares and Outlook Following the Introduction of the 3rd Amendment to the Commercial Act."

Under the main theme "New Horizons in Capital Markets and Tax Law: Focusing on the Next Generation's Perspective," Attorney Leem analyzed the legal problems arising from the current tax framework regarding the acquisition and disposal of treasury shares. Furthermore, he provided an in-depth discussion on the impact of the amended Commercial Act, which came into effect on March 6, 2026, on the treasury share tax system and offered insights into future prospects.

2026.04.17

Awards Ranking

Kwang Bae Park Selected as an ALB Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyer for 2026

Asian Legal Business (ALB) has recognized Lee & Ko attorney Kwang Bae Park as one of its “Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyers” for 2026.

For approximately 30 years, Mr. Park has advised a wide range of domestic and international clients in the areas of IT, broadcasting, telecommunications, and data privacy and security. His practice spans regulatory advice, government investigations, and litigation, and he is widely recognized for his depth of experience and strategic judgment in complex TMT matters.

Among his notable matters, Mr. Park led the overall litigation strategy in the cases arising from Korea’s largest-ever personal data breach involving three major credit card companies, overseeing the proceedings for 11 years through their final resolution in fall 2025. He also advises SpaceX’s STARLINK, the world’s largest low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications service, in connection with its entry into the Korean market, including on licensing, regulatory approvals, and compliance.

Mr. Park has been recognized multiple times in previous years as an ALB Asia Super 50 TMT Lawyer. He has also been consistently ranked since 2008 by leading international legal directories, including Chambers Asia-Pacific, Asialaw, and The Legal 500, for his outstanding capabilities.

Published by Thomson Reuters, ALB Magazine is a leading legal publication in the Asia-Pacific region. Through its annual Super 50 TMT Lawyers survey, ALB identifies the region’s most highly recommended practitioners in the technology, media, and telecommunications sector.

2026.04.01

Seminar/Event

Steve Minhoo Kim and Jaekyung Han Present on “Presidential Decree and 2026 Updates” at the AMCHAM Taxation Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Steve Minhoo Kim, Senior Foreign Attorney at Lee & Ko and Co-Chair of the AMCHAM Taxation Committee, and Jaekyung Han, Senior Foreign Attorney at Lee & Ko, participated in the AMCHAM Taxation Committee Meeting. Steve Minhoo Kim served as moderator, and Jaekyung Han served as speaker, for a seminar titled “Presidential Decree and 2026 Updates.”

Presented to members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), the seminar provided timely and meaningful insights for foreign-invested companies in Korea on the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s (MOEF) Presidential Decree issued following the 2025 tax law amendments. The seminar also addressed the implications of the recently enacted attorney-client privilege (ACP) framework in the context of tax audits and tax controversy matters.

2026.03.31

Seminar/Event

Seminar on “Industrial Safety: No Longer Optional”

On March 25, 2026, Lee & Ko hosted a seminar titled “Industrial Safety: No Longer Optional” in collaboration with the Seoul Economic Daily, providing an opportunity to reflect on the past five years since the implementation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

This seminar was organized to explore practical solutions for companies to consider in pursuing both the prevention of serious industrial accidents and sustainable business growth. This event was comprised of the following four (4) sections:

1. “From Compliance to Competence” – presented by Young-Sik Baek (Director of the Industrial Accident Prevention Support Division, Ministry of Employment and Labor)
2. “Legislative Challenges in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Industrial Accident Prevention” – presented by Dr. Kwon Hyuk at Korea University Graduate School of Labor Studies (also a member of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s Industrial Safety Advisory Committee)
3. “The Serious Accidents Punishment Act Through Case Law” – presented by Hoon Hur (Senior Partner at Lee & Ko)
4. “Pre- and Post-Incident Measures: Preparation is Key” – presented by Kyung-duk Ahn (Senior Advisor at Lee & Ko, former Minister of Employment and Labor) and Hodong Cha (Senior Partner at Lee & Ko)

Following the presentations, a Q&A session was held to address questions from the audience.

2026.03.25

Seminar/Event

Seminar on ‘Strategic Approaches to Global Technology Dispute Risk and K-Discovery’

On March 25, 2026, Lee & Ko hosted a seminar on ‘Strategic Approaches to Global Technology Dispute Risk and K-Discovery’.

The three-session seminar began with a welcome address by Mr. Un Ho Kim and was moderated by Ms. Hyunjin Koh.

In the first session, Mr. Hankil D. Kang presented “Strategies for Responding to U.S. IP Litigation,” covering an overview of U.S. litigation, practical guidance on handling complaints and discovery, as well as an in-depth discussion of investigation procedures at the International Trade Commission (ITC).

In the second session, Mr. Hayoun Chun discussed “Strategies for Utilizing and Responding to UPC Litigation,” introducing strategic approaches for companies to leverage the UPC, along with various case examples in detail.

In the final session, Mr. Jaewoo Kwak addressed “Responding to Risks Related to K-Discovery and ACP,” analyzing a range of practical issues that companies may face and proposing specific response strategies.

Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group handles not only traditional intellectual property matters; such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition, but also disputes and advisory work related to advanced technologies including AI, data, semiconductors, and healthcare. The group has also accumulated extensive experience in cross-border litigation and international arbitration across various sectors. In particular, it has developed deep expertise over many years in discovery practice and is well-positioned to provide one-stop solutions for matters involving K-Discovery.

2026.03.25

Lee & Ko People

Lee & Ko Welcomes Former Presiding Judge of the Daejeon District Court, Won Jee Jang

Lee & Ko has welcomed Won Jee Jang, who brings extensive trial experience from major courts, including service as a presiding judge at the Daejeon District Court and as a judge at the Seoul Central District Court.

After earning her Bachelor of Laws from Seoul National University in 2007, Ms. Jang entered the legal profession upon completing the Judicial Research and Training Institute (38th) in 2009. She has subsequently managed a wide range of civil and criminal cases across key district courts, beginning at the Gunsan Branch of Jeonju District Court and later serving at the Incheon District Court, Seoul Western District Court, Seoul Central District Court, and Seoul Southern District Court.

From 2022, Ms. Jang served as a judge at the Seoul Central District Court, and from 2024, as a presiding judge at the Daejeon District Court, overseeing numerous complex corporate disputes and significant criminal cases. Her outstanding case management and judicious leadership earned her significant trust both within the judiciary and among external stakeholders.

During her time on the bench, Ms. Jang developed considerable expertise across diverse areas, including civil and criminal litigation, corporate regulation, and family law, demonstrating particular proficiency in handling sophisticated disputes involving corporations and financial institutions.

At Lee & Ko, Ms. Jang will join the Litigation Group, providing clients with strategic and practical legal services across a wide spectrum of areas, including corporate advisory, civil and criminal litigation, audit and investigation responses, and regulatory risk management.

According to Managing Partner Sanggon Kim, “Ms. Jang is a professional who, drawing on her comprehensive trial background, brings exceptional legal judgment and practical insight, enabling her to deliver trusted legal services to our clients. She will particularly strengthen Lee & Ko’s service quality in complex corporate disputes and risk management.”

Ms. Jang emphasized, “Building on my judicial service, I aim to assist corporate and individual clients in addressing complex legal risks in a proactive and practical manner. I look forward to collaborating with the experts at Lee & Ko and am committed to providing the highest standard of legal services.”

2026.03.06

Press & Releases

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[The Korea Economic Daily] Lee & Ko Bolsters Digital Finance Capabilities with Successive Hires from FSS and FSC

On April 22, 2026, The Korea Economic Daily reported on the strengthening of Lee & Ko's financial regulatory practice. The article noted that Attorney Sangrok Shin, formerly head of the Capital Markets Investigation Division at the Financial Services Commission (FSC), joined the firm earlier this year, followed last month by Advisor Moonseok Chae, who spent six years in key positions at the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), including as head of the Banking Team in the Sanctions Review Department and Deputy Director of the General Affairs Team. The article further noted that Attorney Seohee Han, a specialist in virtual assets and digital finance, has also joined the firm, highlighting how Lee & Ko is significantly expanding its capabilities to address the rapidly evolving financial regulatory landscape, particularly in the virtual assets and digital finance space.

2026.04.22

[The Korea Economic Daily] Sanggon Kim of Lee & Ko: “From Dispute Resolution to Full-Service Consulting Firm, Set to Usher in the KRW 500B Era”

On April 22, 2026, The Korea Economic Daily featured an interview with Managing Partner Sanggon Kim of Lee & Ko. In the interview, Mr. Kim articulated his strategic vision to reposition the firm as a comprehensive consulting practice, with a revenue target of KRW 500 billion for the current fiscal year. Having made history in 2024 as the first Korean law firm to surpass KRW 400 billion in annual revenue, Lee & Ko sustained its growth momentum by recording KRW 430.9 billion last year. Amid heightened demand for regulatory compliance services and a recovering M&A market, Mr. Kim confidently projected a growth rate of approximately 15% for this year and further emphasized that Lee & Ko is poised to transition into a full-service consulting firm through its distinctive “one team” approach, a model designed to dissolve the conventional silos between litigation and advisory services.

2026.04.22

[Maeil Economy Newspaper] Global Regulatory Barriers & Aftermath of the ‘Yellow Envelope Law’… Law Firms Step Up as Problem Solvers and Corporate Partners

April 22, 2026. Maeil Economy Newspaper analyzed that major law firms are transforming into consulting organizations that provide integrated crisis management solutions beyond simple legal advice, and reported on the activities of Lee & Ko. Maeil Economy Newspaper reported, “Following the recent implementation of the ‘Yellow Envelope Act,’ Lee & Ko has significantly strengthened its labor compliance capabilities by recruiting former Minister of Employment and Labor Kyung-duk Ahn and labor consultant Won-bok Kang,” adding, “To respond to the implementation of the revised Commercial Act, Mr. Da-ju Jeong from Lee & Ko’s Litigation Team has been assigned as an expert in the field of ‘commercial injunctions’ and is achieving significant results through close cooperation with the M&A team.”

2026.04.22

[The Korea Economic Daily] Lee & Ko, Equipped with Numerous Former Prosecutors… Establishes Preventive Response System to Comprehensively Address Complex Labor Risks

April 22, 2026. The Labor & Employment Practice Group and its Labor Compliance Team of Lee & Ko were featured in the Korea Economic Daily. The Korea Economic Daily reported, “As labor-related legal risks become increasingly complex, Lee & Ko has set out to comprehensively strengthen its response system in the labor sector,” adding, “Lee & Ko has newly formed a Labor Compliance Team by recruiting a large number of experts with backgrounds in the prosecution, in addition to the litigation capabilities of its existing Labor & Employment Practice Group.” Chang-soo Jin, Head of the Labor & Employment Practice Group and Labor Compliance Team, stated, “The traditional Labor & Employment Practice Group and the newly strengthened Labor Compliance Team will work as one to do our utmost to help companies overcome legal uncertainty and focus on their business operations.”

2026.04.22

Deals & Cases

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Lee & Ko Advises Korean Consortium on USD 1.3 Billion Financing of Panama Metro Tunnel

Lee & Ko has advised the Korean consortium (as borrower) comprised of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., POSCO Eco & Challenge Co. Ltd. and Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd., in connection with the consortium’s Syndicated Discounted Repurchase Facility financing for the construction of the Panama Metro Line 3.

The financing was structured as a securitization of government payment certificates (Certificados de No Objeción, or CDNOs) via three separate facilities provided by KEXIM, IDB Invest (the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank), and a syndicate of seven international banks covered by K-Sure.

The funding will be used by the consortium to extend the Panama Metro Line 3 under the Panama Canal and further demonstrates the trust that international financiers place in the technical expertise of Korean contractors exporting their skills and know-how worldwide.

2026.01.30

Lee & Ko Secures Full Victory for Korean Entertainment Company in SHIAC Arbitration against Chinese Firm

Lee & Ko successfully represented a prominent Korean entertainment company in an international arbitration administered by the Shanghai International Arbitration Center (“SHIAC”) against a Chinese software company, securing a full award in favor of the client. The dispute arose from a licensing agreement under which the Korean entertainment company granted the Chinese firm the right to develop games utilizing the intellectual property of its affiliated artists. The case involved complex factual and legal contentions, centered primarily on the attribution of liability for significant development delays and the fulfillment of contractual conditions for termination.

As the governing law of the contract was Chinese law, the case demanded a meticulous and nuanced analysis of the local legal framework and contract law principles. Furthermore, because both the seat of arbitration and the arbitral institution were located in China, the proceedings required extensive experience and strategic expertise in navigating the specific procedural nuances of Chinese international arbitration.

Leveraging its deep track record of handling high-stakes disputes in China, Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Team acted as sole counsel throughout the proceedings. The team successfully led all written submissions and hearing proceedings against local Chinese counsel, ultimately securing a "complete victory" for the client. This outcome underscores Lee & Ko’s dominant capability in China-related disputes and its proven ability to deliver favorable results in challenging foreign jurisdictions.

2025.12.16

Full Acquittal on Appeal in Prosecution for Violation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act

Lee & Ko represented SK Multi Utility Co., Ltd. (a power generation subsidiary of SK Chemicals), together with its Chief Executive Officer and Plant Manager, in a criminal prosecution alleging violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (“SAPA”) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) arising from a fatal accident at a coal unloading facility involving an employee of a contractor. Following a full acquittal at first instance, Lee & Ko secured dismissal of the prosecution’s appeal, and the appellate court affirmed the acquittal in full.

On December 20, 2022, at a coal unloading facility of Company A, a dump truck loaded with coal overturned during the unloading process when the driver, employed by a transportation company, raised the truck bed without opening the rear gate. A contractor employee who was present at the site was crushed by the coal and the vehicle and died.

The appellate court held that a causal link could not be established between the fatal accident and the alleged breaches, including an alleged failure to protect workers from falling-object hazards and an alleged failure to establish an adequate safety and health management system under SAPA. The court further reasoned that, where the accident was clearly attributable to the driver’s operational error, imposing criminal liability on management solely by reason of the occurrence of the harmful result would be unwarranted, underscoring that SAPA does not impose strict result-based liability.

In circumstances where there were no settled judicial principles on causation under SAPA, Lee & Ko conducted a detailed analysis of the accident mechanism and surrounding facts, and presented a reasoned case that criminal liability requires proof of causation between any breach of statutory safety and health obligations and the fatal outcome.

This judgment is expected to serve as an important reference point in assessing causation in ongoing SAPA prosecutions and in future cases arising from fatal industrial accidents.

2025.12.11

LG Chem’s sale of its Water Solutions Business

On June 13, 2025, LG Chem entered into a Business Transfer Agreement to sell its Water Solutions business to Korea Water Solution Holdings, a subsidiary of Glenwood Private Equity, with the rights and obligations of the business subsequently transferred to NanoH2O, Inc. As legal counsel to LG Chem, Lee & Ko successfully provided comprehensive legal services throughout the entire process leading to the successful closing of the transaction.

This carve-out transaction involved significant complexities, as the seller was required not only to divide and transfer part of the site it currently occupies but also to transfer contracts, workforce, licenses, assets, rights, and obligations on a detailed, item-by-item basis. Additionally, to ensure a smooth transition, both parties had to agree on various operational matters, such as joint use of facilities, utility supply, and transition support.

Throughout the process, Lee & Ko provided swift and effective legal counsel on issues ranging from the division and sale of the factory site, the review of regulatory requirements for business and environmental permits, to negotiating and executing ancillary agreements essential for the seamless execution of the business transfer. The firm’s prompt and strategic advice played a critical role in the successful completion of the transaction.

2025.12.01

Representation in an International Dispute Concerning a Medical Device Supply Agreement

Lee & Ko is representing a Taiwanese medical device supplier in appellate proceedings arising from an international civil dispute against a Korean diagnostic kit manufacturer in connection with a medical device supply agreement.

The dispute concerns the supply of COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic test kits to the Taiwanese market during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key issues include performance of contractual obligations, alleged deficiencies in product performance, and the corresponding scope of payment obligations under the agreement. In the first instance, the court ruled against the supplier, finding that no defect in the rapid diagnostic kits had been established. Following its appointment at the appellate stage, Lee & Ko has undertaken a comprehensive review of the trial court’s reasoning and overall analytical framework.

In the appellate proceedings, Lee & Ko is addressing not only issues of contractual interpretation relating to claims for payment, but also a range of complex legal and technical questions. These include applicable medical device performance standards, the adequacy of quality management systems, and the extent to which actions taken by overseas regulatory authorities may influence the assessment of civil liability.

Drawing on its understanding of Taiwan’s regulatory framework and academic environment, the firm has worked in close coordination with local regulatory and academic experts to obtain authoritative expert opinions. These materials have been carefully integrated into the appellate strategy to ensure that the court is presented with a scientifically grounded and legally coherent analysis.

This case represents a multifaceted cross-border dispute involving international distribution arrangements, product performance issues, and foreign regulatory considerations. In the appellate proceedings, Lee & Ko is systematically organizing both the factual record and the governing legal principles, and advancing persuasive arguments from legal and technical perspectives to support a reasoned and balanced determination.

2025.11.28

Lee & Ko Represents Alvogen in Multinational Pharmaceutical Collusion Investigation; Secures Partial Victory on Appeal

Lee & Ko represented Alvogen in an investigation by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) concerning alleged collusion between Alvogen and AstraZeneca relating to certain oncology drugs.

Following a three-year investigation, the KFTC issued an Examiner’s Report in June 2022 concluding that Alvogen’s agreement not to produce and sell generic versions of Zoladex, Casodex, and Arimidex (collectively, “DEX Drugs”) in exchange for exclusive distribution rights for AstraZeneca’s products constituted unlawful collusion. The KFTC imposed corrective measures, an administrative fine, and referred the matter for potential criminal prosecution.

In response, Lee & Ko, together with its in-house Competition Economics Consulting Group (CECG), submitted detailed economic and legal analyses arguing that (i) delays in generic development were attributable to the inherent scientific and technical complexities of oncology drug development, (ii) the grant of exclusive distribution rights was consistent with ordinary industry practice, and (iii) no economic compensation was exchanged for restricting competition, such that the arrangement did not constitute a “reverse payment” agreement.

As a result, the KFTC reduced the applicable surcharge rate to 3% (from the initially suggested 5–7%), imposed an administrative fine of approximately KRW 1.2 billion, and exempted Alvogen from criminal referral.

In subsequent administrative litigation before the Seoul High Court, Lee & Ko successfully challenged the KFTC’s findings with respect to Casodex and Arimidex. Although the court acknowledged the existence of certain agreements, it held that their anticompetitive effects had not been established. The court therefore overturned the KFTC’s decision with respect to those two products. With respect to Zoladex, the court concluded that the administrative fine could not be independently calculated, resulting in the cancellation of the related corrective orders and the entirety of the administrative fine.

The decision is significant in that, although collusion was recognized for one product, all administrative fines were ultimately cancelled. It represents an important precedent concerning non-compete arrangements in the pharmaceutical sector.

2025.11.13

Patent Strategy in the Cosmetics Industry: Implications of a No-Glue Artificial Eyelash Patent Dispute

The IP & Technology Practice Group of Lee & Ko is representing the patentee of a core patent relating to no-glue artificial eyelashes in preliminary injunction proceedings against multiple companies in Korea that manufacture and sell competing products.

In response, the accused companies have initiated multiple actions before the Korean Intellectual Property Office (“KIPO”), including invalidation trials and trials for confirmation of the scope of patent rights. As a result, civil and administrative proceedings are progressing in parallel. Lee & Ko is leading the overall litigation and trial strategy on behalf of the patentee, encompassing preliminary injunction applications, merits litigation, and patent trial proceedings.

The dispute presents intertwined technical and legal issues concerning a new category of cosmetic products—no-glue artificial eyelashes. A central question is whether specific technical features, such as the extent and method of adhesive application and the mechanism by which the product attaches to a user’s natural eyelashes, fall within the scope of the asserted patent claims.

At the preliminary injunction stage, the patentee must establish a prima facie case of infringement and demonstrate the likelihood of irreparable harm through detailed technical analysis. In the parallel patent trial proceedings, the strategic focus is on defending the patent’s validity, particularly the inventive step of the claimed invention over prior art, and articulating a consistent and legally sound interpretation of claim scope.

As Korean cosmetic brands continue to expand globally amid the prominence of “K-beauty,” the industry is characterized by short product life cycles and the rapid emergence of competing and imitative products. In this environment, early-stage patent registration and proactive enforcement are critical to maintaining competitive advantage. This dispute highlights the importance of promptly enforcing registered patent rights while simultaneously clarifying and reinforcing claim scope through coordinated litigation and administrative proceedings. It provides meaningful guidance for companies in the cosmetics sector in developing effective patent strategies and managing IP disputes.

2025.11.11

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