South Korea

Yoon & Yang LLC (Yoon & Yang) has further strengthened its M&A and corporate advisory capabilities with the recruitment of Partner Jin Kook Lee, a veteran dealmaker renowned for his exceptional track record in both domestic and cross-border M&A and capital markets, and rising next-generation star Partner So Yeon Yoon. These new hires build on the May joining of Managing Partner Hee Woong Yoon, one of Korea’s most prominent M&A practitioners, and Senior Foreign Attorney Myong-Hyon (Brandon) Ryu, a leading cross-border M&A specialist. Together, these high-profile additions substantially reinforce Yoon & Yang’s depth and breadth of expertise in advising clients on complex corporate transactions, positioning the firm as one of the most competitive and comprehensive in Korea with a top-tier lineup of distinguished and proven attorneys in M&A, capital markets and corporate advisory. Jin Kook Lee is a strategic dealmaker with over 20 years of experience leading a wide range of large-scale domestic and cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions. A graduate of Seoul National University School of Law (Class of 1997), he passed the Korean bar in 1998 and served as a military judge advocate. He joined Yulchon LLC in 2004 and played a pivotal role in Yulchon’s M&A practice as a core member of the Corporate & Finance Group for over two decades. Mr. Lee possesses a rare combination in corporate advisory expertise and experience for a Korean attorney, with capabilities to advise not only on both inbound and outbound M&A transactions but also on IPOs and other capital markets transactions. He has advised on a number of landmark M&A transactions, including Lotte Group’s sale of Lotte Rental, Hanwha Group’s acquisitions of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (currently Hanwha Ocean) and HDS Engine (currently Hanwha Engine), Naver’s acquisition of U.S.-based Poshmark, various financial investors’ sale of Woowa Brothers (d.b.a. Baemin), and Lotte Group’s acquisition of Ministop, as well as many high-profile IPOs in Korea such as SK IE Technology, Lotte Shopping REITs, Hyundai Autoever, and Hanwha Systems. Notably, he advised MBK Partners on its KRW 7.2 trillion acquisition of Homeplus—the largest private equity M&A deal in Asia to date. His track record has earned him the nickname “big deal maker” among clients and peers alike. He has consistently been recognized by global legal directories, including Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500, and IFLR1000, as a Leading Individual or Highly Regarded lawyer in M&A and capital markets. So Yeon Yoon is recognized for her ability to provide tailored advice on M&A and corporate governance matters through a unique blend of external counsel experience handling major deals at a law firm and in-house counsel experience at Korea’s largest platform company, coupled with her specialized expertise in commercial law.  Ms. Yoon graduated as the second-highest in her class from Seoul National University Law School in 2012 and was admitted to Korean bar the same year. Afterward, she has developed her expertise and built a solid track record in M&A and corporate governance practices over more than 10 years at Yulchon LLC. Notable deals include Hanwha Galleria and TimeWorld’s share exchange, KT Group’s media content holding company project, Hillhouse Capital’s investment in Market Kurly, Lotte Capital’s equity sale, MBK Partners’ Homeplus acquisition, and SK IE Technology’s IPO. In 2018, she earned an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and was subsequently admitted to the New York Bar. She then joined the New York office of Sullivan & Cromwell, gaining hands-on experience in global transactions. From 2022 to 2024, she served as Head of Legal at Naver, where she oversaw a wide range of platform-specific legal matters, including TMT, AI, ESG, and litigation, and spearheaded strategic investment initiatives such as Naver’s largest acquisition to date of U.S.-based Poshmark. In 2025, she completed her Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.) at Seoul National University Law School, with a dissertation on equity compensation structures such as RSUs and PSUs, further strengthening her commercial law expertise. With these new additions, Yoon & Yang aims to further enhance its capabilities in response to Korea’s evolving corporate and M&A landscape. Mr. Lee’s seasoned leadership and expertise in M&A transactions and IPOs is expected to elevate the firm’s global competitiveness, while Ms. Yoon’s deep understanding and experience in the tech and platform industries will provide valuable insights into emerging business sectors and support global-facing mandates. Managing Partner Myung Soo Lee stated, “as client needs grow increasingly sophisticated and deal structures become more complex, it is essential to have experts with strategic insight and differentiated experience. At Yoon & Yang, we are committed to building a client-centric team capable of delivering exceptional legal solutions. We will continue to recruit top talents until Yoon & Yang’s M&A and corporate advisory practice is firmly established as a top-tier player in Korea.” For more information, please contact: Mr. Jae Hyuk Yang Senior Marketing/Communications Manager Yoon & Yang LLC Tel: (82-2) 6003-7229 Email: [email protected]

Yoon & Yang LLC (“Yoon & Yang”) announced that it has hired mergers and acquisitions heavyweight Hee Woong Yoon as a new Managing Partner and the Head of the firm’s newly established Future Strategy Planning Task Force. Mr. Yoon, widely regarded as an “M&A guru” in Korea, brings over 30 years of corporate advisory and M&A experience to the firm. In his role as the Head of the Future Strategy Planning Task Force, Mr. Yoon is expected to play a key role in advancing Yoon & Yang’s growth strategy and enhancing client services for the largest domestic and foreign corporations. Mr. Yoon is recognized as a leading dealmaker, having successfully led numerous high-profile domestic and international M&A transactions throughout his career. With the addition of Mr. Yoon, Yoon & Yang is poised to significantly strengthen its capabilities and market influence in the corporate advisory and M&A practice areas and make a decisive leap to the top tier in the market. Hee Woong Yoon graduated from Seoul National University School of Law in 1987 and passed the Korean bar exam in 1992. He began his legal career in 1992 at Yoon & Partners, the predecessor to Yoon & Yang. While working at Yoon & Partners, he studied in the U.S. and, after earning his LL.M. from George Washington University Law School in 1997, was admitted to the New York State Bar in the U.S. Mr. Yoon has spent three decades at the forefront of Korea’s M&A, banking and capital markets, establishing himself as a leading expert in these fields. He played a pivotal role in major M&A transactions that have shaped the landscape of Korea’s M&A market, including Lotte Shopping’s acquisition of Hi-Mart, Hyundai Motor Company's acquisition of Shinheung Securities (currently Hyundai Motor Securities), and Hanwha Group’s acquisition of Samsung General Chemicals and Samsung Total. He has also advised major domestic conglomerates and global financial institutions on a variety of other M&A transactions that have garnered industry-wide attention, such as Standard Chartered Bank’s acquisition of Korea First Bank, Lotte Shopping’s acquisition of Woori Home Shopping, and Lotte Confectionery’s acquisition of Guylian. Since 2005, Mr. Yoon has been repeatedly recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in the corporate advisory, M&A and capital markets areas by prestigious international legal publications such as IFLR1000 and Chambers Asia-Pacific, attesting to the international recognition of his expertise and capabilities. He has demonstrated a strong ability to develop complex transaction structures through his deep understanding of the capital markets and private equity funds, as well as his broad-ranging advisory experience in corporate governance structuring, acquisition finance, and financial regulations. He is well known not only for the quality of his legal advice but also for his ability to provide client-oriented, strategic solutions. In addition, Mr. Yoon has been serving as an advisor for numerous Korean government committees, including the National Pension Service’s Alternative Investment Committee, the Financial Supervisory Service’s Self-Regulatory Review Committee, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Investment Policy Advisory Committee, as well as serving as legal advisor to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. His extensive experience across both the public and private sectors has cemented his reputation as a leading expert with a deep understanding spanning both the Korean regulatory system and policy environment as well as well as the private sector. He will serve as a key partner in Yoon & Yang’s corporate advisory, acquisition finance, capital markets, and M&A practices, further enhancing the firm’s competitiveness in domestic and cross-border transaction services. Mr. Yoon’s joining Yoon & Yang is expected to not only enhance the firm’s capabilities in providing strategic M&A advice but also in advising regarding optimal transaction structures suited to clients’ business circumstances and also marks a major turning point for Yoon & Yang in expanding its corporate advisory and M&A capabilities and in securing major deal mandates. Building upon this momentum, Yoon & Yang plans to further bolster its competitiveness in the corporate advisory, M&A, banking & finance and capital markets fields through recruitment of additional experts in those areas. Mr. Hee Woong Yoon stated, “In line with Yoon & Yang’s client-first philosophy, I will provide strategic and practical legal solutions in the corporate advisory, M&A, banking & finance and capital markets practices for both domestic and international clients. I am committed to leveraging my experience and expertise to actively support our clients’ success and strengthening their market leadership.” For more information, please contact: Mr. Jae Hyuk Yang Senior Marketing/Communications Manager Yoon & Yang LLC Tel: (82-2) 6003-7229 Email: [email protected]

May 30, 2025 Yoon & Yang announced that Myong-Hyon (Brandon) Ryu (admitted in New York, USA), a leading expert in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joined the firm as a Senior Foreign Attorney. Following the recent addition of Hee Woong Yoon as managing partner, Yoon & Yang has further strengthened its corporate capabilities – particularly in its M&A practice - through the recruitment of Mr. Ryu. His vast experience and global perspective, shaped by his extensive work on major cross-border M&A transactions, are expected to significantly broaden the firm’s client base in the corporate and M&A sectors. Mr. Ryu brings 24 years of experience in cross-border deals spanning over 50 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has led complex, high-profile transactions in M&A, private equity (PE), venture capital, joint venture, as well as corporate internal investigations and anti-corruption due diligence, including matters related to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He received his B.A in Political Science and International Relations from Sogang University in Korea and earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in Tennessee, U.S.A., in 2001. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2002. From 2001 to 2004, he practiced at Yoon & Partners, the predecessor to Yoon & Yang. From 2008 until recently, he served as a Senior Foreign Attorney at Shin & Kim, where he was involved in numerous significant transactions. He has successfully advised major Korean corporations on high-profile outbound M&A transactions, including Hanwha Chemical’s acquisition of SolarOne (currently Hanwha Qcells), KCC consortium’s acquisition of a U.S.-listed Momentive, CJ CheilJedang’s acquisition of U.S.-based Schwan’s, Lotte Duty Free’s acquisition of JR Duty Free in Australia, and SD Biosensor’s acquisition of U.S.-listed Meridian Bioscience. He has also closed inbound transactions involving foreign funds and corporations, including GIC��s acquisition of a stake in Starbucks Korea, investments in Kurly Inc. by Sequoia, Aspex, and DST Global, and investments in Woowa Brothers by Sequoia and GIC. Through these transactions, Mr. Ryu has established himself as a leading advisor to both Korean and global clients in cross-border M&A. Mr. Ryu has been recognized for many years as a leading attorney in M&A and private equity by renowned global legal publications such as Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific, IFLR1000, Legal500, and Asialaw. The 2025 edition of Chambers Global, a premier international legal ranking publication, noted that Mr. Ryu “has particular expertise in cross-border M&A transactions and has represented numerous Korean clients,” adding that “he also possesses considerable ability in handling private equity-related matters.” Moving forward, Mr. Ryu will lead Yoon & Yang’s cross-border M&A and global corporate advisory practices, providing practical solutions in cross-border transactions, including outbound investments by Korean companies and inbound investments by foreign investors. With his addition, the firm aims to further strengthen its advisory capabilities in cross-border M&A for both outbound and inbound transactions, develop customized deal structures that facilitate strategic collaborations between global investors and Korean companies, address diverse legal and regulatory issues, and bolster its competitiveness in cross-border advisory services through practical, client-focused counsel. Myung Soo Lee, Managing Partner at Yoon & Yang, stated, “following the recent addition of Hee Woong Yoon as Managing Partner, the arrival of Myong-Hyon (Brandon) Ryu, who has deep expertise in cross-border transactions, positions Yoon & Yang to respond even more professionally and comprehensively to the needs of clients in both domestic and international corporate advisory and capital markets sectors. In line with our core value of putting clients first, we will continue to provide tailored solutions for cross-border transactions and complex M&A structures, while actively supporting our clients in achieving business success and enhancing their global competitiveness.” For more information, please contact: Mr. Jae Hyuk Yang Senior Marketing/Communications Manager Yoon & Yang LLC Tel: (82-2) 6003-7229 Email: [email protected]

Yoon & Yang LLC has bolstered its Antitrust & Competition practice by welcoming former KFTC deputy director Chiyeol Kim as a partner. Having passed multiple professional tests including the Korean Certified Public Accountant (KICPA) Examination, the Korean Bar Examination, and the Higher Civil Service Examination, Chiyeol Kim demonstrates his exceptional credentials across law, accounting, and public administration. During his tenure at the KFTC for eight years, he held key roles in several divisions, including the Consumer Policy Division, Disclosure Compliance Division, Holding Company Division, and Corporate Group Policy Division. He led investigations into unfair intra-group transactions, managed large scale intra-group transaction disclosure regulations, and contributed to policy reforms for holding companies. Notably, he successfully pursued a high-profile case involving unfair support transactions within the Kyungdong Group, which resulted in a KRW 4 billion fine. Additionally, he was instrumental in amending the Fair Trade Act to facilitate corporate venture capital (CVC) initiatives and strengthen the holding company framework. Most recently, he served in the KFTC’s newly established Special Investigation Team, handling e-commerce regulatory matters involving gaming companies. In recognition of his outstanding public service at the KFTC, Mr. Kim received two ministerial commendations. In 2022, he was honored for excellence in managing public petitions, and in 2023, he was awarded for his contributions to regulatory reform in the areas of holding company oversight and CVC promotion. Mr. Kim joins Yoon & Yang’s Antitrust & Competition Practice Group, one of Korea’s leading antitrust practices, comprised of over 50 professionals with deep public- and private-sector experience. The firm has recently garnered attention for securing a landmark acquittal for Hyundai Steel in a cartel case concerning scrap metal procurement. Yoon & Yang also successfully represented E-Land World and E-Land Retail in litigation annulling regulatory sanctions related to unfair intra-group support and self-dealing. Additionally, the firm continues to advise Korea’s leading conglomerates, including Hyundai Motor Group, LG Group, Taekwang Group and KT Corporation, in developing compliance strategies tailored to evolving antitrust and competition law regulations. Commenting on the appointment, Sang Oh Jeon, head of Yoon & Yang’s Competition & Antitrust Group, stated, “With professional credentials spanning accounting, law, and civil service, Chiyeol brings a unique perspective to our team, and his arrival will strengthen our ability to provide clients with sophisticated legal solutions grounded in regulatory insight, financial analysis, and administrative expertise. We are confident that this addition marks a meaningful step in expanding the scope and depth of our practice.” With Mr. Kim’s addition, Yoon & Yang reaffirms its position as a leader in antitrust and competition law, offering unparalleld expertise to clients navigating Korea’s complex regulatory landscape. For more information, please contact: Mr. Jae Hyuk Yang Senior Marketing/Communications Manager Yoon & Yang LLC Tel: (82-2) 6003-7229 Email: [email protected]