Appointment of Mr. Yong Seok Ahn as Lee & Ko Managing Partner

Pursuant to his appointment in February 2018, Mr. Yong Seok Ahn is currently serving as Lee & Ko’s managing partner.

On the occasion of his appointment, Managing Partner Ahn remarked that: “Lee & Ko has grown to become an exemplary law firm in Korea by following a path based on what we in the firm refer to as the ‘Lee & Ko spirit’.” He further commented on the firm’s continuing success being dependent on synergy derived from its organizational strengths and the professionalism of its members, and pledged to do his part to foster the best possible environment for maximizing and demonstrating the capabilities of the firm’s members.

Mr. Ahn, who joined Lee & Ko in 1989, has served for many years as a leading partner in the firm’s antitrust/competition law, foreign investment law, corporate and M&A practice areas.  Mr. Ahn has also served as a member of the firm’s management committee since 2010, and has been recognized as a leading lawyer in his practice areas by leading international law firm rating institutions, such as Chambers Asia and IFLR 1000..

Mr. Ahn has been actively engaged in various aspects of the broader legal community and currently serves as a director on the Antitrust Committee of the International Bar Association. Having developed an excellent reputation for his professionalism and expertise, Mr. Ahn has consistently been praised for his ability to deal with highly complex transactions and legal issues and consistently deliver the most effective solutions for clients. 

In 2016, Mr. Ahn acted for JPMorgan Chase in obtaining a favorable decision by the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) to terminate a review relating to the international LIBOR cartel matter.  Mr. Ahn also acted as lead counsel for adversely affected parties, such as Samsung, in connection with the KFTC’s review of unfair trade allegations against Qualcomm involving a misuse of standard essential patents.  The KFTC ultimately imposed sanctions against Qualcomm for the amount of KRW 1.03 trillion (approximately US$ 854 million) and Mr. Ahn is credited as having contributed to obtaining this successful outcome for the adversely affected parties.