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On August 21, 2025, Lee & Ko successfully hosted its first official seminar in Singapore at the Fairmont Hotel under the theme “Korea Law, Policy, and Compliance: Navigating Legal Change and Uncertainty in a New Political Landscape.” The seminar commenced with welcoming remarks by Mr. V.K. Rajah SC, former Attorney General and Judge of Appeal of Singapore and independent arbitrator at Duxton Hill Chambers, followed by an opening address by Mr. Ho Joon Moon, Managing Partner of Lee & Ko. 

The program was moderated by Ms. Saemee Kim, Partner in Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Team, and featured five in-depth sessions led by senior attorneys from various practice groups.

The first session was presented by Mr. Allen Hyungi Ryu, Senior Foreign Attorney in Lee & Ko’s Corporate and M&A Practice Group. Mr. Ryu addressed the recent amendments to the Korean Commercial Act and their impact on corporate governance, highlighting the expansion of directors’ fiduciary duties, revisions to the 3% rule on audit committee appointments, and the strengthening of minority shareholder rights. 

The second session was delivered by Mr. Jung Min Pak of Lee & Ko’s Banking & Finance Practice Group, who explored the topic of energy regulations and sanctions. He analyzed the expansion of nuclear and renewable energy, the intersection of energy security and international sanctions, and global trends in related regulations, and suggested strategic approaches for companies to respond to the energy transition and international regulatory environment.

The third session featured Mr. William Woojong Kim, Senior Foreign Attorney in Lee & Ko’s Labor & Employment Group, who addressed timely issues in the labor and employment sector. In particular, he discussed the main provisions and impact of the so-called “Yellow Envelope Law,” corporate risk management in light of amendments to labor-related laws, and practical strategies to respond to changes in labor–management relations.

The fourth session was presented by Mr. Younghoon Mok, Senior Foreign Attorney in Lee & Ko’s Telecommunications, Media, and Technology Group. He outlined Korea’s amended Personal Information Protection Act, the newly enacted AI Framework Act, and the phased rollout of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act. The presentation focused on the compliance issues for companies managing cross-border data transfers and introduced integrated risk management approaches.

The final session was delivered by Mr. Sanghoon Han, Partner in Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Team and a Chartered Arbitrator. He provided an overview of Korea’s judicial system and its distinctive features in comparison with other jurisdictions. He focused on the strategic use of interim measures, such as provisional attachments and injunctions, in both litigation and arbitration. 

After the main sessions, Mr. Zac Sharpe, Co-Head of Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Team led a lively Q&A session. The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Eun Young Park, Chair of the Global Disputes Group and Co-Head of the International Arbitration Team.  Dr. Park highlighted the importance of understanding Korea’s rapidly evolving legal landscape amid political and economic shifts.

As Lee & Ko’s first official event in Singapore, the seminar marked a meaningful step in strengthening our international presence. The firm received positive feedback from attendees who appreciated the practical insights, comparative approaches, and strategic guidance offered throughout the program.

On July 23, Lee & Ko sponsored a seminar entitled South Korea: 11th International Arbitration & Corporate Crime Summit, hosted by Legal Plus.

The day began with an Opening Address from Dr. Eun Young Park, Chair of Lee & Ko’s Global Disputes Group, who spoke on “The evolution of arbitration in Korea up to 2025, and the developments we can expect over the coming year.” Dr. Park reflected on the growth and transformation of the Korean arbitration landscape following the IMF crisis and noted the rapidly shifting global risk environment. He further emphasized the increasing risk of disputes in key industries such as healthcare, semiconductors, and electric vehicles, underscoring the importance of ensuring consistency across legal systems at the time of contract drafting.

The first panel discussion focused on negotiation strategies in international arbitration practice. Zac Sharpe, Co-Head of Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Team, highlighted the practical issues arising from multi-tier dispute resolution clauses, noting that vague drafting can prolong disputes in practice. He stressed the risks of using “condition-precedent” language, the problems associated with ambiguous terminology when it comes to negotiation and mediation, and the importance of reviewing both the purpose and practical utility of such provisions in advance, particularly for joint venture, EPC, and supply contracts.

The second panel discussion addressed construction disputes at the intersection of global and local contexts, with a focus on damages and supply chain issues. The panelists discussed current issues such as the U.S. BABA Act, changes in European procurement regulations, Saudi Arabia’s “NEOM” project, and challenges in claim quantification across Southeast Asia. They pointed out the growing potential for disputes arising from design changes, inadequate contract documentation, and supply chain disruptions.

The third panel explored shareholder, director, and stakeholder disputes involving Korean and foreign companies, with a particular focus on practical strategies for in-house counsels on contract drafting and dispute prevention. Senior Foreign Attorney at Lee & Ko’s International Arbitration Team, referred to a recent case where the absence of a deadlock provision in a shareholders’ agreement resulted in a lengthy arbitration. She highlighted the need for alternative procedures in the event the parties fail to appoint an appraiser under a put-option clause, and emphasized that exit conditions and valuation dates should be set out with clarity.

The fourth panel examined emerging technology-related issues that have gained prominence in recent years, including digital asset tracing, AI-related risks, and global internal investigations. Panelists shared their insights and experiences spanning from cryptocurrency asset recovery, the use of NFT/SBT for process service, AI-driven fraud schemes, to cybersecurity threats, stressing the need for companies to heighten security awareness and proactively prepare for the application of new technologies.

Now in its 11th year, the seminar offered a multi-dimensional examination of diverse topics—from strategic use of arbitration and mediation in a volatile global disputes environment, to corporate governance disputes, construction claims, and IP and technology-related disputes. Drawing together in-house counsels, government officials, and arbitration practitioners from Korea and beyond, , the event served as a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas.
 

Lee & Ko, in collaboration with Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and the In-House Counsel Forum (IHCF), hosted a seminar on ‘Commercial Arbitration and Enforcement – Recent Trends and Key Issues in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and China (and Hong Kong) for In-house Lawyers’ on November 21, 2024.

The event offered a comprehensive overview of arbitration issues across various Asian jurisdictions and provided an opportunity for networking during a subsequent dinner event.

The seminar featured presentations from Lee & Ko’s attorneys Saemee Kim, Hyunyang Koo, and Yun A Kang, along with HSF’s attorneys Warathorn Wongsawangsiri, Daniel Chia, and Debby Sulaiman. These experts discussed key issues, arbitration strategies, and enforcement challenges that companies face when resolving disputes through arbitration in major Asian countries. The session provided invaluable insights into the international arbitration landscape in Asia, analyzing practical challenges and considerations for in-house counsels and professionals dealing with cross-border disputes. Following the presentations, the diverse group of experts participated in the subsequent networking dinner, offering attendees the opportunity for direct engagement and fostering in-depth discussions on dispute resolution strategies.

The seminar underscores Lee & Ko’s ongoing commitment to guiding clients through the complex, global practice of commercial dispute resolution and international arbitration, ensuring effective solutions to complex disputes across the Asia-Pacific region.