Hall Of Fame

Rising Stars

Banking and finance: local firms in South Korea

Kim & Chang

Kim & Chang is one of Korea’s most visible firms for the full range of cross-jurisdictional financial transactions, particularly those regarding refinancing deals and direct and covered loans. The team is spearheaded with ‘seamless coordination’ by Kye Sung Chung. Young Min Kim specialises in advising high-profile clients within the aviation industry. Hi Sun Yoon is another authority in acquisition and handles various regulatory and registration issues within the shipping industry. Other key specialists include Ie Hwan Yoo, Young Kyun Cho and Ick Ryol Huh who work on project financing and asset management within the infrastructure and energy industries. Sang Jin Ahn is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Kye Sung Chung


Other key lawyers:

Young Min Kim; Hi Sun Yoon; Ie Hwan Yoo; Young Kyun Cho; Ick Ryol Huh; Sang Jin Ahn


Testimonials

‘Their ability to provide comprehensive solutions that encompass all legal aspects of the transaction is impressive. Their attorneys understand the importance of seamless coordination and consistently deliver impressive results.’ 

‘Hi Sun Yoon’s ability to tailor legal solutions to complex needs and circumstances is impressive. He explains complex legal concepts in a way that is easy to understand, enabling informed decisions. His dedication and personalised approach makes a significant difference.’

Key clients

Hahn & Company


MBK Partners


Samsung C&T Corporation


GS Energy Co., Ltd.


Woori Bank


Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (“K-sure”)


The Export-Import Bank of Korea (“KEXIM”)


H-Line Shipping Co., Ltd.


The Korea Development Bank (“KDB”)


Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Advised on acquisition financing for Brookfield Asset Management in respect of its acquisition of the gas supply business from SK Material Airplus.
  • Advised the clients on the capital structure and the financing of a public-private partnership project (BTO-a) for upgrading the sewage treatment facilities in Daejeon.
  • Advised the Korean ECA on financing under French tax lease for four LNG vessels.

Lee & Ko

Lee & Ko‘s large and experienced team is lauded as the ‘best in the business,’ offering a full-service within the broad range of banking and finance mandates. The firm is recognised for its advisory and regulatory work within the shipping, energy, and technology and telecommunications industries. The team is led by the highly experienced Dong Eun Kim. Core team member Yeo Kyoon Yoon focuses on inbound and outbound acquisition finance. Myoung Chul Kwak works on a high-profile M&A transactions, with extensive experience in leveraged finance, while Yong-Jae Chang handles debt restructuring and private equity transactions, particularly within the manufacturing industry. Also key are Yun Jeong Seo, who has expertise in financial transactions within the shipping industry, and Hyunsu Kim, who specialises in infrastructure and energy financing.

Practice head(s):

Dong Eun Kim


Other key lawyers:

Yeo Kyoon Yoon; Myoung Chul Kwak; Yong-Jae Chang; Yun Jeong Seo; Hyunsu Kim


Testimonials

‘They have advised on the most projects in the energy infrastructure industry in Korea. In addition, they are always able to provide timely support in most cases, and their coverage is very broad and professional.’

‘The partners are highly professional, and the best in the business.’ 

They have passion and expertise.’

Key clients

BNP Paribas


KEB Hana Bank


Kookmin Bank


Korean Air Co., Ltd.


Korea Development Bank


Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd.


NH Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


Samsung Securities Co., Ltd.


Shinhan Bank


Societe Generale


Standard Chartered Bank Korea Limited


Woori Bank


Kakao Bank


International Finance Corporation


BlackRock


Work highlights


  • Advised Woori Bank, Samsung Securities Co. Ltd. and Kiwoom Securities Co., Ltd on financing for the acquisition of Medit Corp. by MBK Partners.
  • Advised Kookmin Bank on financing in connection with Jeju Hanlim Offshore Wind Farm Project with an installed capacity of 100MW.
  • Advised Woori Bank on a PPP project to facilitate for construction of construction and operation of Bibong-Maesong Urban Expressway.

Shin & Kim

Shin & Kim has a strong focus on significant high-value acquisition financing, covering a broad range of mandates in this area. The group is bolstered by highly accomplished team head Yun Seok Jang, who has extensive experience in cross-jurisdictional corporate financial transactions. Hyunju Helen Pak is known for her work on multi-jurisdictional financing and outbound investment transactions, while Yong Hee Kim is an authority in structured finance within the real estate industry. Other key figures in this area include Sang-Hyun Lee, a specialist in financing and refinancing in the energy industry, Michael Chang, who works on complex project financing for large scale infrastructure projects, and the ‘exceptionalKyung Hwa Moon, who advises on domestic and international banking transactions.

Practice head(s):

Yun Seok Jang


Other key lawyers:

Sang-Hyun Lee; Hyunju Helen Pak; Kyung Hwa Moon; Yong Hee Kim; Michael Chang


Testimonials

‘The team is responsive and quickly addresses any questions, issues or concerns raised.’

‘Kyunghwa Moon is an exceptional lawyer who has a solid understanding of regulatory matters affecting the asset management industry. She is also knowledgeable in other laws that are incidental to the primary business of asset managers. She is extremely reliable and efficient. ’

Key clients

Banco Santander, S.A.


Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico (BNDES)


Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank


SC Lowy Financial (HK) Limited


Bank of America, N.A.


Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.


The Toronto-Dominion Bank(TD Bank)


Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited(ANZ)


The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited(HSBC)


DBS Bank


Woori Bank


Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd


NH Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


The Korea Development Bank


Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-sure)


The Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM)


Citibank, N.A.


SK Hynix


Novelis, Inc.


Work highlights


Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

Renowned for its full-service practice, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC is instructed on a broad range of cross-border and high-profile financing matters. Jeong Rai Cho oversees the team. Financing expert Ho Jin Kim advises on asset management, securitisation, and structured finance. Young-Joon Cho is involved in most of the practice’s restructuring and private equity related matters, as well as project financing in the renewable energy and real estate industries. Another key individual is senior associate Miro Kang, who provides domestic and international financial institutions with advisory services.

Practice head(s):

Jeong Rai Cho


Other key lawyers:

Ho Jin Kim; Young-Joon Cho; Miro Kang


Key clients

HSBC


KB Kookmin Bank


Keppel Capital


Korea Development Bank


Korea Trade Insurance Corporation


Macquarie Korea Asset Management


MERITZ Securities


NH Investment & Securities


Shinhan Bank


The Export-Import Bank of Korea


Work highlights


  • Advised Keppel Infrastructure and other parties on their acquisition financing for the acquisition of Eco Management Korea.
  • Advised Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-Sure), The Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) on ECA Backed Green Project Financing for building EV battery plant by SK On Hungary.
  • Advised HSBC, OCBC and Industrial Bank of Korea on the refinancing of acquisition financing related to the acquisition of the ‘Aster Hangdong Logistics Center’ in South Korea.

Yulchon

Yulchon is a strong name in acquisition financing, with a depth of experience in both outbound and inbound transactions, including in the real estate, shipping, and aviation industries. The team is co-headed by Young Su Shin and Sung Wook Eun. Senior partner Sung Keun Park and senior foreign legal counsel Christopher Joon Tae Cho‘s work covers the full breadth of the firm’s practice, including financial restructuring and infrastructure related transactions. Ho Jin Lee is another senior attorney advising on acquisition in the construction industry, private equity and loan financing.

Practice head(s):

Young Su Shin; Sung Wook Eun


Other key lawyers:

Sung Keun Park; Christopher JoonTae Cho; Ho Jin Lee


Key clients

kakaopay


Naver Financial Corp.


National Pension Service


Multi Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd.


Shinhan Investment Corp.


Korea Development Bank (KDB)


Glenwood Private Equity


K-SURE


Citi Bank


DBS Bank


Hyundai Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


KB Securities Co., Ltd.


KEB Hana Bank


Yuanta Securities Co., Ltd.


Woori Global Asset Management Co., Ltd.


LG Display Co., Ltd.


Meritz Securities Co. Ltd.


Curious Partners


IGIS Asset Management Company


Credit Agricole Corporate


Societe Generale


Work highlights


Jipyong LLC

Known for its expertise in the banking and financial sectors, Jipyong LLC advises on a range of cross-jurisdictional acquisitions, and real estate development. Team lead Yully Kang specialises in the refinancing of existing loans and the issuing of private placement bonds. Jae Min Youn works on project and structured financing. Other key team members include Sang Bae Park, who specialises in asset securitisation, Sang Hoon Ahn, who advises on real estate financing transactions, Joon Hyuk Lee, a key name for property sector related transactions, and Hera Kim.

Practice head(s):

Yully Kang


Other key lawyers:

Jae Min Youn; Sang Bae Park; Sang Hoon Ahn; Joon Hyuk Lee; Hera Kim


Key clients

Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd.


Korea Development Bank


Kyobo Life Insurance


Woori Bank


NH Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


Korea Development Bank, KB Securities Co., Ltd.


Meritz Securities Co., Ltd.


Korea Real Estate Investment & Trust Co., Ltd.


Hana Securities Co., Ltd. and BNK Securities Co., Ltd.


Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd.


Standard Chartered Bank Korea Ltd.


Hangang Cinepolis Development


Kookmin Bank


The Ocean 259 PFV Company


Istern Investment & Development


IGIS Asset Management


SK Securities Co., Ltd.


Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd.


Hana Financial Investment Co., Ltd.


Korea Real Estate Investment & Trust Co., Ltd.


Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


The Jeongbuk Bank Ltd.


Korea Development Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd. on the financing of a buyer’s acquisition of the land and building (E-mart Sungsu Branch) located in Sungsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
  • Advised the Korea Development Bank, Kyobo Life Insurance, and Woori Bank on the financing for the acquisition of South Cheongna Smart Logistics Center by Koramco Energy Plus REIT.
  • Advised NH Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. on the financing for the urban renewal type redevelopment of Supyo zone located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Yoon & Yang LLC

Known for its depth of experience across the full range of banking and finance work, Yoon & Yang LLC has a strong focus on the aviation industry. Hyun Suk Jung focuses on financing deals, structuring transactions and advisory work, while Chang Wook Shin handles loan extensions and real estate development. Hye Kyung Helen Sohn, who is highly experienced in aircraft financing and operational leases, joined the team in 2022 from Lee & Ko. Another key team member is Eun Chul Choi.

Practice head(s):

Hwan Jun Heo


Other key lawyers:

Hyun Suk Jung; Hye Kyung Helen Sohn; Chang Wook Shin; Eun Chul Choi


Testimonials

‘The team has exceptional talents in their knowledge of trends that shape today’s financial market. Yoon & Yang is one of the best Korean law firms to work with when dealing with financial company examinations, IPOs, M&A and investment funds.’

‘In this ever-evolving landscape of legal industry, responding to client’s legal needs is crucial and Hyun Suk Jung is exceptional at doing so. Aside from legal expertise, he is distinguished from others in his work ethic. His commitment to the case was impressive.’

‘Hye Kyung Helen Sohn is very knowledgeable, and her experience on aviation finance is second to none in the Korean legal market.’

Key clients

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM)


Shinhan Bank


Woori Bank


KEB Hana Bank


KB Securities


Hanwha Investment & Securities


NH Investment Securities


Kiwoom Securities


Shinhan Investment & Securities


Daeshin Securites


Work highlights


  • Advised KAL in a finance lease transaction with Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (LBBW) involving one (1) A321-NX Aircraft.
  • Advised KDB and BoComm Leasing in a financing deal for the deliveries of four (4) B737-8 aircraft deliveries to Jeju Air.
  • Advised KORAMCO REITs Management & Trust in its purchase of land and a logistics center building located in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do including loan agreement.