The Legal 500

Within Antitrust and competition, Yulchon is a first tier firm,

‘Top class in Korea’, Yulchon’s competition practice represented GS Caltex in the KFTC investigation into an alleged price-fixing scheme among LPG gas suppliers in Korea, successfully obtaining a reduction of an administrative fine and an exemption from criminal charges. Sai-Ree Yun and Hae Sik Park jointly head the practice; Kumju Son is recommended for his ‘deep knowledge of competition law’; and Seuk-Joon Lee ‘possesses not only extensive legal expertise, but also a client-friendly attitude’.

Within Banking and finance, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

The ‘responsive, helpful’ banking practice at Yulchon wins plaudits for its ‘in-depth knowledge of offshore financing’. It has a strong borrower client base, and recently acted for Lotte Properties on a $100m loan to be used by its Chinese subsidiary. Practice head Hee Woong Yoon is praised for his ‘great knowledge and experience’, and leads a team with ‘a deep pool of talent’. Christopher Cho is also recommended.

Within Capital markets, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s capital markets practice is ‘extremely dedicated and committed, with rich experience in challenging situations’. ‘Able to easily navigate the grey areas when interpreting Korean regulatory provisions’, the team is particularly visible on complex mandates with a cross-border element, such as its representation of KEXIM in its A$2bn debut in the Australian Kangaroo Bonds market. Hee Woong Yoon heads the team, with the ‘thorough, resourceful, reliable and commercially savvy’ Christopher Cho also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s reputation for its ‘extreme dedication and commitment’ means it is among the ‘top choices’ for big-ticket corporate work in Korea. It acts for a heavyweight client roster of domestic giants and foreign corporates, with 2010 seeing it represent Korea Development Bank in its acquisition of RBS’ Uzbekistan subsidiary, and act for Samsung Electronics in the sale of its 50% interest in Samsung Thales for KRW208bn. Sai Ree Yun andHee Chul Kang jointly head the team, which includes the ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ Hee Woong Yoon, and Tehyok Daniel Yi, who is ‘among the best negotiators in cross-border M&A transactions’. Jin Kook Lee, Ki Young Kim and John Kim are also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

The ‘competitive’ litigation practice atYulchon provides an ‘excellent overall level of service and senior attention’. Yong Sup Yoon and Hai Sung Park lead a team that represented Iljin Display Co at the Supreme Court. It is also active in ICC arbitrations, and is representing Yongin City in an ICC arbitration against Yongin Rapid Transport Co concerning the construction of a rail system.

Within Employment, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s employment team is valued for its ‘responsiveness and appropriateness of advice’. Hee Chul Kang and his 11-partner team handle both contentious and transactional matters, and in 2010 acted for Korea Railroad in a damages claim against its trade union, which was the largest such claim to date.

Within Insurance, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s four-partner team provides advice on professional liability, D&O and property insurance for foreign and domestic clients. Practice head Young Seok Lee’s ‘knowledge and experience in professional indemnity is renowned in the insurance industry’.

Within Intellectual property, Yulchon is a third tier firm,

Yulchon’s IP practice has gone from strength to strength, handling landmark cases for international and domestic clients, as well as acting as designated counsel for the Intellectual Property Rights Committee of the European Union’s Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Highlight cases included representing Daelim Industrial Co Ltd in a lawsuit filed by a former employee demanding transfer of patents. Young-Hill Liew heads the team, and former patent court judge Jeong Yeol Choe is also recommended.

Within Intellectual property: patents and trade marks, Yulchon is a third tier firm,

Yulchon now fields three partners with previous experience as Korean Patent Court judges, and is representing a growing number of major Korean companies in patent infringement claims. Jeong Yeol Choe is recommended.

Within Legal market overview,

Kim & Chang, Shin & Kim, Lee & Ko, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC and Yulchon are the major domestic firms.

Within Projects and energy, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s environment and energy team is appreciated for its ‘top levels of knowledge and expertise, and unparalleled commitment to innovation’. The six-partner team acted for KEPCO in its ongoing project to amend the operating rules of Korea Power Exchange, and advised Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co on the establishment of a bidding process for the contract to construct new Uljin nuclear power plants. Sung Wook Eun leads the team, and Hyoung Young Ryu provides ‘timely and logical business-oriented advice’.

Within Real estate, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s real estate team is considered ‘very good on Korean matters’. 2010 saw it act for Daol Fund Management in connection with its acquisition through five special purpose companies of 11 units of an office building under construction in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Practice head Bong Hee Han is ‘excellent - he is bilingual and understands the laws and, more importantly, the market’.

Within Shipping, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon is notable for its asset finance expertise, and is regularly called on to advise on shipping finance transactions. In 2010, it represented Korea Development Bank and Korea Finance Corporation in a two-vessel, $180m financing.

Within TMT, Yulchon is a second tier firm,

Yulchon’s service levels are ‘very satisfactory’. Contentious regulatory expertise is a key strength for the team, with 2010 seeing it represent Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation in a dispute with plaintiff Tae-Jon Broadcasting over the standard used to allocate the revenue generated by terrestrially broadcast advertisements. Hee Woong Yoon heads the practice, and Kumju Son has ‘deep knowledge of communications and competition laws’.

Within Tax, Yulchon is a first tier firm,

The ‘very reliable’ team at Yulchon is ‘able to provide not just tax advice but the full complement of related commercial law services’. In 2010, it successfully represented the Korean subsidiaries of three major multinationals in a Seoul Administrative Court case involving an appeal against the tax authorities’ rejection of refund claims for stock compensation costs. Other clients include Coca-Cola and GM Planning. Joint practice head Sai Ree Yun is ‘an oracle’, and Kyeung Geun Lee is ‘very technical and knowledgeable’.