最新消息

April 26, 2026.
The Korea Economic Daily reported that major law firms are reorganizing their dedicated teams as prosecutors move decisively to launch ex officio investigations into antitrust cases such as cartels, mobilizing their full direct investigative powers. The newspaper highlighted the Antitrust & Competition Group of Lee & Ko, noting: “Lee & Ko, centered on attorneys Yong Seok Ahn, Hwan Jeong and Jeong-Ho Sun, is intensifying its focus on the needs of platform companies by adding expertise in merger control and monopoly regulation advisory work, together with professionals such as former Fair Trade Commission standing commissioner Seok Ho Kim.”
 

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

April 15, 2026
Money Today reported on the news of the expansion and restructuring of Lee & Ko’s Management Control Disputes Team. Regarding the restructuring, Money Today highlighted, “The expansion reflects the increasing demand for corporate management defense and governance responses, as the corporate environment is undergoing significant changes with the implementation of the revised Commercial Act, alongside the growing involvement and influence of minority shareholders driven by activist funds.” It added, “With experts from various fields including attorneys specialized in management control disputes and shareholder activism from the Corporate Advisory Group as well as members from the Litigation Team, ESG Team, and others, all coming together under the name ‘Management Control Disputes Team,’ we expect to demonstrate a unique synergy that sets us apart from competing law firms.”
 

On April 13, 2026, The Korea Economic Daily reported on the recruitment of Mr. Seokchun Yun by Lee & Ko.

The article introduces Mr. Yun (37th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute) as a veteran in international arbitration and litigation, having honed his expertise in handling international disputes at law firms including Bae, Kim & Lee, Kim & Chang, and U.S.-based Kobre & Kim.

The Korea Economic Daily further highlighted his diverse career spanning both legal practice and institutional management, noting his previous roles as the leader of the Legal & IP team at 42dot and as the Deputy Secretary General of KCAB International.

A graduate of Seoul National University School of Law (holding both a Bachelor’s and a Master's degree in Law) and Harvard Law School (LL.M.), Mr. Yun also possesses a degree in Business Administration. The report emphasized that his comprehensive perspective, bridging both legal and business domains, serves as a key strength in resolving complex international commercial disputes.

April 10, 2026
Korea Herald Business featured the M&A league table rankings for South Korea published by Bloomberg. In its report, Korea Herald highlighted that “Lee & Ko has shown exceptional performance in the domestic M&A legal advisory market during the first quarter of this year." It further stated, “With 25 legal advisory cases completed in Q1, Lee & Ko claimed the top position in deal volume surpassing Kim & Chang, which held the lead during the same period last year.” The report analyzed, “The success of Lee & Ko in the first quarter can be attributed to the 'One-Team' operational model of its corporate advisory group, which specializes in M&A. The firm's distinctive and integrated organizational culture has driven such outstanding results.”

On April 10, 2026, Sisa Journal featured Lee & Ko’s proprietary AI solution “eLK.” The article highlighted that “Lee & Ko has achieved zero external network connectivity through its bespoke eLK system on self-hosted GPU servers, a design choice that provides a competitive security advantage over cloud-based alternatives.” It further noted, “Despite accelerating technology adoption across Korean law firms, strict boundaries remain around legal judgment. Lee & Ko also strongly exemplifies this stance, with AI functioning as an auxiliary tool only while final legal judgments are reserved exclusively for human professionals.”

April 9, 2026
The Monthly Labor Law featured a report by attorneys Hyunseok Song and Yoonji Lee of Lee & Ko. In the report titled "Practical Issues of the Yellow Envelope Act in M&A Transactions," they stated, "As the amended Labor Union Act (the 'Yellow Envelope Act') has expanded the scope of labor disputes to include management decisions that affect workers' status and working conditions, concerns are growing regarding the potential impact of the Yellow Envelope Law on M&A transactions.” They explained, “Regarding the demand for collective bargaining by the labor unions of the parties involved in the transaction, issues arise such as whether the subject matter is eligible for bargaining, whether a demand for collective bargaining can be made during the validity period of the bargaining, and whether the status of the representative bargaining union is recognized. In relation to the collective bargaining demands of subcontractor labor unions, the question arises as to whether matters like employment succession fall within the scope of collective bargaining." They further emphasized, "In cases where labor unions demand collective bargaining during the M&A transaction process, employers need to take proactive measures, such as requesting the union to specify the agenda for bargaining and the basis for their demands."

April 9, 2026
A comment from attorney Hyuk Jung Kim was featured in the Aju Business Daily. “Defense products, which had gained popularity in Europe, are also expanding their presence in the Middle East, leading to an increase in corporate advisory.” Regarding Aju’s report, he noted, “While exports were previously concentrated in countries such as Poland and Norway, the proportion of exports to the Middle East has grown following the Iran conflict. In many cases, we now prepare the initial draft ourselves during the contract stage.”

April 9, 2026
Aju Business Daily reported on Lee & Ko’s ‘Middle East Task Force (TF)’ along with comments from attorney Hyuk Jung Kim. Aju Business Daily stated, “As the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran continues to escalate, the activities of Korean companies in the Middle East are becoming increasingly urgent.” The report mentioned, “To respond promptly to this situation, Lee & Ko has established the ‘Middle East Task Force (TF),’ composed of experts in defense, corporate advisory, overseas construction, project financing, insurance, maritime law, and other areas. Through close interdepartmental collaboration, the TF provides customized solutions tailored to clients’ needs.” The report also noted, “The most noticeable change following this situation has been in the defense industry.” Regarding this, attorney Hyuk Jung Kim emphasized, “There will be tangible security threats regardless of whether the war ends, and demand from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar will continue to rise. As domestic companies have secured supply volumes for the next 10 to 15 years, long-term legal support is essential.”