The technological revolution that began with the “digital transformation,” driven by new digital technologies such as cloud computing and the metaverse, is now evolving into an “AI transformation” with the emergence of generative AI and its increasing integration into everyday life. During this digital and AI transformation, companies face various legal issues, including establishing governance, responding to new technology regulations, ensuring compliance, and handling disputes. The ability to address these issues promptly and accurately is now considered a key factor in determining a company’s competitiveness.

To help companies effectively and proactively respond to new regulatory issues related to AI and other emerging technologies, Lee & Ko has restructured its existing IT and Data Team within the TMT Group to launch the Tech & AI Team. Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team is the largest professional team in Korea, with more than 100 expert lawyers and professionals from various regulatory agencies, with extensive experience in areas likely to be affected by technology regulations resulting from the digital and AI transformation, such as personal information, data, information technology (IT), information security, intellectual property (IP), finance, healthcare, technology disputes, antitrust, trade, and legal consultancy.

Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team delivers professional and pragmatic solutions tailored to meet the needs of companies, seamlessly integrating extensive experience and know-how across various areas of expertise, and further provides “one-stop” legal services throughout all phases of convergence and comprehensive services to deal with AI and emerging technologies, namely in legal interpretation, advocacy with regulators, legislative consultancy support, as well as response to inspections and sanctions.

Moreover, the Tech & AI Team includes experts with years of policy work and practical experience at relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), Korea Communications Commission (KCC), Financial Services Commission (FSC), Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), and Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), who provide advice based on practical judgment founded on their direct field experience. The team also boasts the most robust lineup of legal experts who accurately grasp the latest trends in regulations and policies related to new technologies and AI, including the chairman of the Legal and Institutional Subcommittee of the AI Strategy High-Level Conculstative Council (a joint public-private governance organization in the AI field), members of the AI Legislation Preparation Committee, the Public-Private AI Privacy Policy Consultation Committee, the Working Group for Guidelines for Generative AI User Protection, and the Research Committee on AI Guidelines for the Financial Sector.

The experts in our Tech & AI Team have already taken a leading role in the AI field, providing advice on AI-related matters to Korea’s largest telecommunications and portal companies, as well as regulatory trends and privacy issues for global AI companies entering the Korean market. The team has also successfully provided advice on disaster prevention and control for a large infrastructure provider’s data centers, comprehensive advice on cloud-related issues for a Korean financial group, and consultancy services for a global automobile company to obtain various permits and approvals and ensure compliance for the launch of connected cars. Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team is highly regarded for providing top-tier legal services to both domestic and international companies facing new technology issues.

Expertise

Data Centers·Cloud Computing
The data center and cloud computing industries are exposed to more stringent regulations amid ever-changing footprints and advancements. Leveraging in-depth legal knowledge and extensive experience, Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team represents both domestic and overseas clients and provides comprehensive guidance on a myriad of legal and business considerations, including advising on issues related to these industries, permits/approvals and reporting, interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, legal proceedings, and dispute resolution matters.

Platforms·E-Commerce
Drawing upon its specialized knowledge and diverse experience in online platforms (e.g., portals, search engines, etc.), e-commerce, content regulation, and online advertising, Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team offers comprehensive legal services catered to the needs of major domestic and overseas online and e-commerce companies, covering counsel on various matters related to platform and e-commerce, support and representation for obtaining permits/approvals and reporting, regulatory response, and dispute resolution matters.

The Metaverse·Internet of Things (IoT)
Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team has earned recognition as one of Korea’s leading experts since the inception of the metaverse industry. It boasts a wealth of experience in advising telecommunications operators on permits and approvals, regulatory compliance, legal proceedings, and other dispute resolution matters related to network businesses such as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Mobility
Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team represents clients in a variety of complex civil and criminal proceedings involving automobiles and advises them on a wide range of legal issues related to the automobile industry, such as antitrust, trade, IP, personal information, connected car and autonomous vehicle regulations, etc., as well as various permits/approvals and compliance matters.

Big Tech (New AI-Based Business)
Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team offers comprehensive solutions for the myriad legal challenges that may arise in the burgeoning field of new businesses for major tech companies that harness AI technology. Through seamless collaboration with experts in data privacy and cybersecurity (DPC) and intellectual property (IP), our Tech & AI Team provides a holistic approach spanning from planning to launch, operation, management, assessment, and follow-up measures for products and services.

AI Startups
Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team delivers swift and precise counsel to startups on critical matters such as intellectual property (IP) protection, privacy breaches, and other issues inherent to the development and launch of AI services. Beyond addressing regulatory compliance, including acquiring necessary approvals and permits for startup AI services, our Tech & AI Team extends its expertise to facilitate both domestic and overseas market expansion through its comprehensive legal advisory services.

AI-Enabled Convergence and Comprehensive Services
Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team provides “one-stop” legal services for all stages of AI-enabled convergence and comprehensive services, from legal interpretation to advocacy with regulators, legislative consultancy support, and response to inspections and sanctions, for pharmaceutical companies, healthcare institutions, insurance companies, IT companies, and more, based on their rich in high-quality data built on successful financial AI innovations and healthcare AI technologies.

Enhancement of AI Legal System
Experts from Lee & Ko’s Tech & AI Team have a thorough understanding of the current regulatory and policy trends in AI. They actively participate in government and academic research groups and are deeply engaged in enhancing domestic legislation related to AI.

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Major Cases

Data Centers·Cloud Computing

Advised a large Korean telecommunications company on establishing and leasing an Internet data center (IDC)
Advised a large infrastructure provider on disaster prevention and avoidance in data centers
Advised a Korean financial group company on various cloud computing-related matters
Reviewed SaaS platform services for financial institutions
Reviewed service contracts for domestic and overseas cloud computing companies
Reviewed cybersecurity regulations applicable to cloud computing-based infrastructure
Advised on data localization and cross-border data transfers related to cloud computing services
Reviewed issues related to network segregation and reporting on outsourcing cloud computing services in connection with the use of customer data by financial companies
Advised AI IT companies on establishing data cloud computing systems, cross-border data transfers, and sharing losses incurred by hacking damage
Handled civil disputes involving cloud computing construction contracts

Platforms·E-Commerce

Advised major portal, e-commerce, and social media operators in Korea and overseas on various matters related to platform operations, online advertising, and online games
Advised Korea’s largest copyright fraction trading platform on the acquisition of convertible bonds and application for innovative financial services
Advised a large overseas e-commerce company on entering the Korean market
Successfully represented a large platform in an administrative case against the Personal Information Protection Commission.
Offered counsel to a large virtual asset exchange on its music copyright trading platform
Responded to deep-fake composites for a major Korean entertainment agency
Provided guidance to a global social media platform provider on blocking illegal and harmful content
Managed customer complaints for a global video-sharing platform provider
Responded to an investigation into dark patterns and consent procedures initiated by the Personal Information Protection Commission.
Handled a civil case involving violations of laws and regulations by a large online shopping mall website

The Metaverse·Internet of Things (IoT)

Advised Korea's largest telecommunications company on the overseas expansion of its metaverse service
Reviewed plans to introduce payment and NFT marketplace on the metaverse platform
Provided counsel on the protection of rights and licensing of famous artists and brands in the metaverse
Advised on the establishment of a joint venture related to AR
Provided guidance on VR hardware supply contracts
Reviewed issues related to surgery using VR technology
Examined matters related to outsourcing metaverse services
Reviewed the appropriateness of self-regulation operation plans for the metaverse
Provided advice on various regulatory challenges related to IoT services
Reviewed security issues related to IoT

Mobility

Advised on obtaining various permits, approvals, and ensuring compliance for the launch of connected cars
Advised Korea’s largest automobile company on the AV GPS information business in North America
Consulted on legislation concerning EV subsidy standards and autonomous vehicle laws
Offered advice on permits, approvals, and regulatory frameworks applicable to the launch of shared mobility services
Advised guidance to an overseas mobility platform company regarding its entry into the Korean Market
Advised a leading Korean mobility company on its GPS information business
Conducted a review of an electric vehicle mobility business model
Advised on matters related to autonomous robots
Advised on matters related to telematics services

Big Tech (New AI-Based Business)

Advised Korea’s largest telecommunications and portal companies on AI and big data
Reviewed regulatory trends, privacy concerns, copyright and localization issues for the entry of a global AI company into Korea
Advised a Korean big tech company on its AI character services
Provided guidance to a big tech company on various aspects of personal information processing in new industries and technologies
Provided consultation on compliance due diligence and enhancements concerning AI services
Reviewed the legality of data collection pertaining to the development of AI-powered universal language models
Advised on the establishment of an AI hub among affiliates for the sharing of AI-processed data
Acted as legal counsel for Korea's largest telecommunications company in addressing data subjects’ rights, including their right to respond to automated decisions, and related litigation matters
Resolved software-related disputes, including cases of copyright and patent infringement arising from software development led by AI technology companies
Conducted analysis and preparatory measures for the implementation of the EU AI Act

AI Startups

Advised a leading Korean AI startup on the launch of its AI conversation analysis service in both Korean and overseas markets
Advised a leading overseas legal tech company on the launch of its generative AI-based legal service in Korea
Conducted a review of AI learning based on consigned information to enhance chatbot services
Offered advice to a Korean startup on AI voice and video generation services
Provided advisory services on investment and joint development of AI solutions
Conducted a review of copyright issues concerning deliveries using open-source AI
Reviewed legal risks associated with services utilizing ChatGPT
Reviewed the utilization of data collected overseas for AI development purposes

AI-Enabled Convergence and Comprehensive Services

Conducted a preliminary review of risks associated with AI voice recognition services tailored for financial companies
Provided guidance on selecting innovative medical technologies, innovative medical devices, and novel medical technologies for AI-enabled medical devices
Advised and represented an AI semiconductor fabless company on investment attraction across various series, technology introductions, licensing, and various dispute cases
Advised a financial company on AI-based platform operations, brokerage and advertising for financial products, business alliances and consignment, and other legal issues
Conducted a review to determine if the Electronic Financial Transactions Act applies to the development and operation of counseling chatbot services and solutions
Provided advisory services to AI-based semiconductor IP, AI-based biopharma, and AI data hub companies on technology research, development, transfer, and licensing
Advised on the establishment of a monitoring system for hospital information systems utilizing AI
Offered guidance to a Korean AI-based company on virtual doctors and non-face-to-face medical treatment
Advised a Korean AI-based company on offering digital healthcare platform services
Responded to a case involving patent infringement related to AI medical devices
Advised on a drug discovery program using AI
Advised on AI-based credit rating business

Enhancement of AI Legal System

Chairman, Legal and Institutional Subcommittee on the AI Strategy High-Level Consultative Council
Member, MSIT AI Legislation Preparation Committee
Member, PIPC Public-Private AI Privacy Consultation Committee
Member, KCC Working Group on Guidelines for Generative AI User Protection
Member, FSC Research Committee on AI Guidelines for the Financial Sector
Member, MSIT Research Group on Explanatory Guide for the Digital Bill of Rights
Member, Data AI Subcommittee on MSIT Platform Self-Regulation Committee
Member, MSIT Research Group on Guidelines for Portal Search Algorithm
Member, AI Policy Forum, Korean Society of Artificial Intelligence Law
Member, AI Ethics Law Forum, Korea Data Law Policy Society