Bae, Kim & Lee LLC‘s practice showcases expertise in the full depth and breadth of corporate financing and high-value cross-border M&A transactions. The team advises on international partnerships, transaction structuring, and divestures and spin-offs. Team head Joonki Yi handles joint ventures, while Sky Yang advises on a wide range of global financing transactions. Sungjo Yun specialises in private equity acquisitions and corporate group restructurings, while Banghyun Kim advises chaebols on outbound foreign exchange transactions, and provides crisis management.
Corporate and M&A: local firms in South Korea
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC
Practice head(s):
Joonki Yi
Other key lawyers:
Sky Yang; Sungjo Yun; Banghyun Kim
Key clients
Affinity Equity Partners
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
E Mart
ILJIN Materials
IMM Private Equity
Keppel Capital
LG Chem
LX International
Qoo10
Shinhan Financial Group
Kim & Chang
Recommended as ‘the best law firm’ in South Korea by some, Kim & Chang‘s team handles the full depth and breadth of corporate and M&A work, from multi-jurisdictional merger fillings, outbound sales of Korean companies, and working on Korea’s first continuation fund transaction. The team is led by experienced senior partner Kyung Taek Jung, while Jong Koo Park also handles heavyweight deals. Jong Hyun Park works on outbound co-investments, while colleague Shin Kwon Lim advises on large-scale infrastructure related transactions. Another noted key member is Joon B. Kim.
Practice head(s):
Kyung Taek Jung
Other key lawyers:
Jong Koo Park; Jong Hyun Park; Shin Kwon Lim; Joon B. Kim
Testimonials
‘Shin-Kwon Lim provided us with valuable advice based on his extensive experience, and Eun-Bee Kim demonstrated professional organizing skills.’
‘Kim & Chang always provide exceptional legal service. The team have great communication, analytical and research skills.’
Key clients
SK on Co., Ltd.
Ford Motor Company
Cigna Corporation
Chubb Limited
LOTTE Chemical Corporation
UCK Partners, Inc.
MBK Partners
EQT Partners
SK Square Co., Ltd.
Macquarie Korea Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Hahn & Company
GIC Private Equity
Brookfield Asset Management
Ingersoll Rand, Inc.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
Bain Capital
IMM Investment Corp.
KOREAN AIR LINES Co., Ltd.
SK hynix Inc.
Viva Republica Inc.
E&F Private Equity
Korea Zinc Inc
Ark Energy Corporation Pty. Ltd.
Anchor Equity Partners (Asia) Limited.
VIG PARTNERS
Work highlights
- Advised LOTTE Chemical Corporation in its acquisition of Iljin Materials Co., Ltd.’s common stock and IMG Technology Co., Ltd.’s warrants.
- Represented MBK Partners, UCK Partners and individual shareholders in its purchase and sale of Medit Corporation.
- Represented EQT in its acquisition of a majority equity interest in SK shieldus for approximately KRW 2 trillion by way of a share purchase from SK Square and Blue Security Investment and a new share subscription from SK Shieldus.
Lee & Ko
With decades of experience in corporate and M&A work, Lee & Ko‘s market leading team provide a full-service for high-profile Korean clients. Co-headed by Hyun Tae Kim, Sang Gon Kim, and Hyeong Gun Lee, the team is known for its expertise of handling of cross-border joint venture projects for major international corporations and private equity houses. Ho Joon Moon is an expert in public and private company mergers and stock purchases, while Daehoon Koo is highly recommended for establishing holding companies and asset deals. Other key team members include David Choi, Kyungchun Kim, and Sung Min Kim maintain their reputation as top-tier corporate lawyers, specialising in the manufacturing, energy and pharmaceutical industries.
Practice head(s):
Hyun Tae Kim; Sang Gon Kim; Hyeong Gun Lee
Other key lawyers:
Ho Joon Moon; Daehoon Koo; David Choi; Kyungchun Kim; Sungmin Kim
Testimonials
‘Daehoon Koo offers a wealth of experience to clients on M&A deals and exhibits a strong grasp of trends and issues underlying the full range of corporate transactions in the Korean market.’
‘Armed with the knowledge of latest M&A deal structures world-wide, Lee & Ko provides customized deal structures and advice to the client on domestic and cross-border deals. The team has excellent knowledge of the corporate client as well as great working relationship with leaders of the client corporations. They provide solution-oriented advice and real time feedback to the client.’
‘Yong Joon Yoon zealously advises his clients with both legal and business savviness. A great leader who commands respect of his team as well as the leaders of the client corporation.’
‘David Choi is a great negotiator, armed with extensive legal knowledge. He is able to bridge cultural gaps between the client and the other side in cross-border deals.’
‘Lee & Ko sports very impressive lawyers with extensive knowledge.’
‘The Corporate M&A team at Lee & Ko is very proficient on the technical aspect of a deal, while having an excellent touch with the opposite side. They deliver practical solutions to complicated issues and have a strong client focus.’
‘David Choi is an up-and-coming partner in the Korean M&A market and displays great negotiation skills backed by technical excellence.’
Key clients
MBK Partners
LG Energy Solution
LS Group
SK Materials
Glenwood Private Equity
Solus Biotech
SK On
LG Chem
Megazone Cloud
Lotte Group
Work highlights
- Advised the consortium established by MBK Partners and UCK Partners in its KRW2.2tn acquisition of Osstem Implant and its affiliates.
- Advised the establishment of battery production joint venture worth KRW6tn between LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motors.
- Advised the establishment of battery production joint venture worth KRW5tn between LG Energy Solution and Honda Motors.
Shin & Kim
Leading on cross-border M&A transactions in Korea, Shin & Kim‘s team features a number of subject matter and industry experts. Team heads Jae Woo Im, Tong-Gun Lee, and Jae Young Chang between them handle joint ventures, private equity investments, as well as advising on high-profile hostile takeovers. Joongil Cho has international in-house experience and specialises in advising Korea’s biggest conglomerates. Chaewon Kang is another key team member with extensive experience in commercial transactions.
Practice head(s):
Jae Woo Im; Tong-Gun Lee; Jae Young Chang
Other key lawyers:
Joongil Cho; Chaewon Kang
Key clients
SK Group
Kakao Corporation
SD Biosensor
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Korea Development Bank
IMM Private Equity
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
PAG Advisors
KT Corporation
CJ Group
Shinhan Financial Group
Kumho Industrial Co., Ltd. and Asiana Airlines, Inc.
GIC
Baring Private Equity
Dominus Investment
Lotte Group
Posco
KCC Group
Well to Sea Investment
Sequoia Capital
KB Financial Group
Hanwha Group
Yulchon
Yulchon‘s experienced corporate and M&A team includes ‘a deep bench of excellent practitioners,‘ co-led by Young Su Shin and Sung Wook Eun. The latter advises on complex high-value mergers and partnerships, while Jin Kook Lee handles major acquisitions and shares and stakes transactions for high-profile Korean conglomerate clients. Former judge Jae Hyun Park is experienced in private equity and corporate restructuring matters, while senior foreign counsel Hyung Ki Lee is sought after for work with connections to the world of insolvency.
Practice head(s):
Young Su Shin; Sung Wook Eun
Other key lawyers:
Jin Kook Lee; Jae Hyun Park; Hyung Ki Lee
Testimonials
‘Yulchon’s corporate team has a deep bench of excellent practitioners.’
‘Hyung Ki Lee has a very good understanding of our business and tries to provide practical advice.’
‘Hyung Ki Lee is very commercially savvy and reliable.’
‘The team at Yulchon is very strong on substance and practically oriented. Very client focused. Committed to providing solutions and achieving client’s goals.’
‘Full-service team with capable, responsive and thoughtful lawyers.’
Key clients
Lotte Group
Naver
Hanwha Group
JX Nippon & Metals
Zinus
NH Financial Group
KT
KB Financial Group
Mirae Asset
L’Oreal
Work highlights
- Advised Naver on its acquisition of a US-based fashion e-marketplace Poshmark for $1.6 billion.
- Advised Hanwha Group on the acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
- Advised Japan Korea Joint Smelting Co., Ltd., a Japanese company, on its restructuring and sale of its shares in LS-Nikko Copper Inc. in Korea.
Jipyong LLC
Jipyong LLC covers a wide range of corporate and M&A transactions including mergers, stock acquisitions, and business transfers. Team head Tae Hyun Lee advises high-profile clients on conversions to holding companies, acquisition of financial services companies, and corporate governance. Also active in the firm’s Myanmar and China desks, Cheol Jeong handles domestic and foreign corporations on a wide range of M&A work, particularly within the energy and consumer goods and services sectors. Other key team members include Dong Cheon Seo and Min Shin.
Practice head(s):
Tae Hyun Lee
Other key lawyers:
Cheol Jeong; Dong Cheon Seo; Min Shin
Key clients
Hanwha Solutions Corporation
OK MEAT INC.
Hanil Holdings Co., Ltd.
Inwha Precision Co., Ltd.
EUGENES SONIC Co., LTD.
JUNGLIM Architecture
Socius Capital LLC
STIC Investment, Inc.
Evergreen Packaging International LLC
Line Studio
WooriPinewood Consortium
Eugene Investment Co., Ltd.
Keyeast Co., Ltd.
KCC GLASS Corporation
Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems CO., Ltd.
Hanwha Power Systems Co., Ltd.
Hanwha Impact Corporation
FiscalNote
Work highlights
- Advised Hanwa Solutions Corporation on establishing a joint venture company for the manufacturing, production, and sales of EVA and LDPE plastics with GS Energy corporation.
- Advised COMES2018-1M&A Investment Association on the sale of M2I CORPORATION, a smart factory solution company.
- Advised the existing shareholders of OK Meat Inc. on the sale of their shares to IGIS Asset Management and E-Mart Inc.
KL Partners
KL Partners experienced team continues to specialise in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional private equity transactions, while also advising within all sectors of the corporate field. With a strong reputation in the field, Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi leads the firm in handling growth equity transactions and minority equity investments, alongside major share transfers and corporate partnerships. Seonho Kim is mandated by financial institutions to handle buy-out transactions, consolidations of public and private companies and cross-border investments. The practice also includes Jisun Hwang in an advisory role, handling negotiations and contract drafting and reviewing.
Practice head(s):
Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi
Other key lawyers:
Seonho Kim; Jisun Hwang
Testimonials
‘KL Partners has a lot of experience and knowledge related to private equity transaction.’
‘Seong Hoon Yi has vast knowledge in private equity fields, he is very commercial and a hands-on type worker.’
Key clients
VTI Partners
GFS Co., Ltd.
Xi S&D
PS & Marketing
Individual Shareholders (Aim Bio)
Kolmar Korea
Mibelle AG
S Traffic
Daehan Flour Co.
Individual Shareholders (Knet)
Daol PEF
SFA
Individual Shareholders of Abil Korea
Winia Aid Co., Ltd.
Winia Co., Ltd.
Smilegate Holdings Co., Ltd.
Onelake Next 2022 PEF
SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
AJU IB Investment Co., Ltd.
Smart Food Networs, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advised on a buyout transaction in connection with Kolmar Korea’s 55% acquisition of Yonwoo (manufacturing of cosmetic containers).
Yoon & Yang LLC
Continuing to be active in Korea’s energy, technology, and aviation industries, Yoon & Yang LLC‘s team handles a full range of multijurisdictional commercial and corporate financing work. Sung-Jin Kim provides crucial support through every step of M&A transactions. Particularly noted for advising on domestic and overseas investment, Sangman Kim also handles joint venture establishment and rehabilitation of various financial institutions. Ki Man Park is recommended for legal advice on private equity investment and managing boardroom disagreements. Young Ho Kang is also highlighted.
Practice head(s):
Sang-Hyun Ahn; Sung-Jin Kim
Other key lawyers:
Young Ho Kang; Sung-Jin Kim; Ki Man Park
Testimonials
‘The Yoon & Yang team has professional lawyers with rich M&A advisory experience and teamwork contribute greatly to their success.’
Key clients
Osstem Implant
Hanwha Life Insurance
Korean Air
Hanjin KAL
UAMCO
Cactus Private Equity
SK Ecoplant (formerly SK Engineering & Construction)
NAVER Webtoon
Premier Partners
Metanet Mplatform
SK E&S
PTA Equity Partners
Doosan Enernility
KHI-Korea Investment SG PE
Samyang Holdings Corporation
Kiwoom Asset Management Co., Ltd.