Rising Stars

Real estate: local firms in South Korea

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

With demonstrable experience in city development projects, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC is recognised as a market leader in REIT and REF structures in real estate transactions. Practice head Eun Jin Jeon specialises in collective real estate investments, and has considerable experience in handling related M&A mandates. Gun Chul Do acts on behalf of major clients in inbound and outbound investments, advising on project financing matters and property litigation. Hyeon Kang is another key contact in the group, advising on development projects and financial transactions, as is Sungtae Park, who ‘strikes a very good balance of listening to clients’ needs and finding solutions’.

Practice head(s):

Eun Jin Jeon


Other key lawyers:

Gun Chul Do; Hyeon Kang; Seung Eun Chi; Sungtae Park


Testimonials

‘Bae, Kim & Lee LLC has great breadth of expertise, with connections to external advisers from senior industry and government backgrounds to address difficult and niche issues.’

‘Sungtae Park is a resourceful partner. For real estate acquisition deals, he managed to work with other in-house teams for due diligence, loan documentations, and business combinations filing on a project basis.’

‘The real estate team maintains work quality by making sure that the team members are fully familiar with the client. Thanks to the hard work of this real estate team, BKL is the most trusted law firm for us.’

‘Sungtae Park constantly puts in the effort to make deep and broad communication with the client not only for reactive services but also proactive and preventive services.’

‘Sungtae Park strikes a very good balance of listening to clients’ needs and finding solutions.’

Key clients

CapitaLand Investment


General Motors (Korea)


KB Securities


LOGOS Property


MKS Instruments


NH Investment & Securities


Pacific Asset Management


PGIM


Shinhan Securities


SK reit management


Work highlights


  • Advised KB Securities on the IPO and listing of KB Star REIT on Korea Exchange.
  • Advised Pacific Asset Management on the development project of an Internet Data Center in Korea, with investment from the Canadian Pension Investment Board.
  • Advised Shinhan Securities on a sale and leaseback transaction for the disposition of its headquarters building in the Yeouido financial district in Seoul.

Kim & Chang

Counting domestic and international companies among its key roster of clients, Kim & Chang's team advises on a wide range of construction-related transactions involving the full range of real properties. Yon Kyun Oh leads the team and Keun Ah Cho specialises in real estate-related M&A, in addition to tax-efficient property investment structures, asset-backed securitisations, and share acquisition matters. Sang Min Lee advises foreign investors and companies on inbound purchases and acquisitions, as well as advising domestic real estate funds on inbound transactions. Dual qualified in New York and Seoul, attorney Jin Ho Song handles matters concerning special purpose vehicle establishment and management.

Practice head(s):

Yon Kyun Oh


Other key lawyers:

Keun Ah Cho; Sang Min Lee; Jin Ho Song


Key clients

GIC


Angelo, Gordon & Co.


DWS Group


KKR & Co.


Goldman Sachs


The Blackstone Group


Brookfield Asset Management


M&G Real Estate


Mirae Asset Financial Group


Samsung SRA Asset Management Co.


Work highlights


  • Advised Hines in connection with the acquisition, development, leasing and sale of a mixed use building complex in Busan, Republic of Korea.
  • Advised a buyer and its fund manager on the acquisition of two office buildings.
  • Advised on forward sale of logistics facilities under construction.

Lee & Ko

Lee & Ko‘s market leading practice handles the full range of mandates, from development and reconstruction-related transactions, to overseas investments, as well as property litigation. Junghwan Lee jointly leads the team alongside Dong Seok Woo and Jin Wook Yang, who focus on conventional commercial sale and purchase transactions, fund-of-funds real estate investments, and REITs in project financing development projects. Other key contacts in the group incude Ju-Young Susie Im and Jee In Kim, who focus on inbound and outbound acquisition and purchases.

Practice head(s):

Junghwan Lee; Dong Seok Woo; Jin Wook Yang


Other key lawyers:

Ju-Young Susie Im; Jee In Kim


Testimonials

‘Dong Seok Woo is a highly respected real estate lawyer.’

‘Junghwan Lee professional and is good at collaborating with other lawyers involved in the matter. He gives timely advice.’

Key clients

IGIS Asset Management Co., Ltd.


LB Asset Management Inc.


Tiger Alternative Investors Co., Ltd.


Samsung SRA Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Vestas Investment Management Co., Ltd.


AIP Asset Co., Ltd.


Mirae Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd.


GAW Capital Partners


D&D Investment Corp.


ALPHA Asset Management M.F.M.C


Shinhan REITs Management Co., Ltd.


DWS Asset Management (Korea) Co. Ltd.


Shinhan Alternative Investment Management, Inc.


Hana Alternative Management Co., Ltd.


Mastern Investment Management Co., Ltd.


BNK Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd.


Kyungbang Co., Ltd.


Hyundai Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Hyundai Investments Co., Ltd.


Hotel Lotte Co., Ltd.


Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd.


Pacific Investment Management Co., Ltd.


Inmark Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Koramco Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Midas Asset Management Co., Ltd.


KB Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Lotte Insurance Co., Ltd.


Pine and Partners Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Belstar Superfreeze Holdings


Daishin Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Goodwill Company Co., Ltd.


Keppel Asset Management


HHR Asset Management, Inc.


Daol Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Supex Village Co., Ltd.


Solus Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.


Yido Management Co., Ltd.


Nexon Korea


MUFG Bank Ltd., Seoul Branch


Work highlights


  • Advised Daol Asset Management Co., Ltd. on sale of its stake in a corporation, which owns Congress Square based in Boston, USA.
  • Advised Samsung SRA Asset Management on purchase of Alpha Dome Tower located in Pangyo, Korea.
  • Advised Yido Management Co., Ltd. on acquisition and financing of a data center site in Wonchang-dong, Incheon.

Shin & Kim

Shin & Kim’s real estate handles the full range of advisory work and cross-border transactions for foreign and domestic clients. The team is co-led by Kyung Don Lee, who advises investors and asset managers on acquisitions and dispositions of commercial buildings, senior foreign attorney Robert Young, who specialises in international real estate and private equity, and Suk Lee, who advises on high-profile real estate transactions. Thak Hwan Kim advises on cross-border joint ventures and purchases, while senior foreign attorney Eunjoo Lee works with foreign asset managers, representing clients from Europe, UK, USA, Canada, and Japan on a wide range of overseas transactions.

Practice head(s):

Kyung Don Lee; Robert Young; Suk Lee


Other key lawyers:

Thak Hwan Kim; Eunjoo Lee


Testimonials

‘Robert Young has the unique ability to understand and anticipate the needs and concerns of foreign investors, while balancing the considerations and rules of investing into the Korean property markets.’ 

‘Shin & Kim team has provided a client centric service with expertise in real estate.’

‘The team has valued knowledge of the real estate industry.’

‘Highly responsive and available regardless of time and circumstance. Seasoned team with deep experience in the Korean real estate space.’

Key clients

Blackstone


LaSalle Investment Management Asia Pte Ltd.


Brookfield


Recap V Acquisitions Ltd.


Nuveen Singapore Private Limited


AEW ASIA LIMITED


IGIS Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Kendall Square Logistics Properties


Mirae Asset Global Investments Co, Ltd.


PAG


CapitaLand Investment Management Korea


Macquarie Korea Asset Management


CDL Hotels (Korea) Limited


MERITZ Alternative Investment Management


Hana Alternative Asset Management


GIC Real Estate International Korea Co., Ltd.


Pebblestone Asset Management


Shinhan REITs Management


Aberdeen Standard Investments


Samsung SRA Asset Management Co. Ltd.


Yulchon

Advising on the full range of inbound and outbound real estate investments, Yulchon’s team has experience in handling cross-jurisdictional acquisition and financing work. Tae Jin Cha, who advises on asset management, collective investment and REITs, jointly leads the team alongside Ju Bong Park, who handles a range of construction mandates. Jin Seok Choi advises on real estate deals and finance matters, while Geen Kim is praised for her 'vast experience in overseas transactions'. Other key contacts in the group include Sung You Choi and Young Joon Yoon.

Practice head(s):

Tae Jin Cha; Ju Bong Park


Other key lawyers:

Jin Seok Choi; Geen Kim; Sung You Choi; Young Joon Yoon


Testimonials

‘Yulchon is one of the top firms in real estate, especially for overseas investment deals. It is a highly organised team.’

‘The Yulchon team is exceptional in all aspects. They are available 24/7 around the clock, which is very important upon executing overseas transactions. They are able to apply their vast experience on overseas transactions and easily adapt to any changes that occur during a transaction.’

‘Geen Kim has vast experience in overseas transactions.’

Key clients

ARA Korea


ADF Asset Management


AM Plus Asset Development Inc.


BentallGreenOak


BNK Asset Management Co. Ltd


Capstone Asset Management


Coupang Corp.


CBRE Investment Management (Korea) Ltd. (formerly known as CBRE Global Investors (Korea) Limited)


Daol Asset Management Co., Ltd.


DB Insurance Co., ltd.


Dbloc Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Digital Edge


DWS Asset Management (Korea) Co. Ltd. (changed name from Deutsche Asset Management (Korea) Co., Ltd.)


Edn Investment Management


Gaw Capital


Gravity Asset Management


Hana Alternative Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Hana Asset Trust Co., Ltd.


Hana Financial Investment Co., Ltd.


Hangang Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Hanwha Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Hanwha Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


Heritage Asset Management


HHR Asset Management


Homeplus Co., Ltd.


Hotel Lotte Co., Ltd.


IGIS Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Inmark Asset Management Co. Ltd


Inmark REITs Management Co. Ltd


JB Asset Management


JR AMC Co., Ltd


Koramco Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Korea International Trade Association


Keppel Investment Management Co., Ltd.


Korea Asset In Trust Co., Ltd.


Korean Teachers’ Credit Union


Kreits Investment Management Co., Ltd.


KY Asset Management Co., Ltd.


LaSalle Investment Management


LB Asset Management


Logos Property


Lotte AMC


Lotte Corporation


Morgan Stanley


Mirae Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd.


Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd.


NH-Amundi Asset Management


NH Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.


NH REITs Management


Oaktree


Pacific Asset Management Company


Pacific Investment Management


Pebblestone Asset Management


RIFA Asset Management


Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., ltd.


Samsung SRA Asset Management


Seraya Partners


Shinhan Investment Corp.


Shinhan REITs Management


Smart Square D&I


Tiger Alternative Investors


Vestas Investment Management


Woori Global Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Advised Mirae Asset Global Investments on sale of Office Building in São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Advised POSCO O&M on acquisition of Jack Nicklaus Golf Course in Incheon.
  • Advised Samsung SRA Asset Management on acquisition of Office Building (450 Park Ave.) in New York.

Yoon & Yang LLC

Yoon & Yang LLC‘s ‘highly dedicated‘ real estate practice is noted for its transactional capability, and handles a broad range of asset management and REIT-related matters. With extensive experience in cross-border investments and social overhead capital projects, Young Woo Park jointly leads the team alongside Hwan Jun Heo. Regulatory specialist Jae Ryun Cho advises on real estate M&A, while finance expert Eun Chul Choi and Chang Wook Shin work on multinational project financings, private equity matters, and real estate trust issues. Hyun Suk Jung is another key team member.

Practice head(s):

Hwan Jun Heo; Young Woo Park


 


 


Other key lawyers:

Hyun Suk Jung; Eun Chul Choi; Chang Wook Shin


Testimonials

‘Highly dedicated and receptive to client’s needs.’

Key clients

Hyundai Development Corporation


Hanwha E&C


POSCO ICT Company


Shinyoung D&D


Daesung Industrial


Korea Investment & Real Estate Trust


Koramco REITs & Trust


Korea Expressway Corporation


POSCO


Work highlights


  • Advising on logistics centre acquisition located in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do.
  • Advising on the sale of an office building called Cosmo Tower located in Wangsimri, Seoul.
  • Advising a lender on local housing construction project.

Dentons Lee

With demonstrable experience in outbound and inbound real estate investments, trust establishments and property litigation, Dentons Lee is well-placed to handle a broad range of contentious mandates. The practice is co-led by Timothy Trinka and senior managing attorney Ghil-Won Jo, both of whom handle matters concerning the disposition and leasing of real property, real estate developments and project financings, as well as cross-border acquisitions. Corporate specialist Sung-Eun Stephan Kim is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Timothy Trinka; Ghil Won Jo


Other key lawyers:

Sung-Eun Stephan Kim


Key clients

Hangang Asset Management


Lotte Hotel and Resorts


Jipyong LLC

Jipyong LLC specialises in cross-border real estate transactions and investments. Expert in acquisition and project financing, Yully Kang leads the team and handles syndicated loans for real estate developments. Joon Hyuk Lee works on the establishment and operation of REITs, REFs, and PFVs, while Seok Jae Lee advises on real asset and development project investments. Financial specialist Sang Hoon Ahn is another key contact in the group, advising on real estate financing mandates.

Practice head(s):

Yully Kang


Other key lawyers:

Joon Hyuk Lee; Seok Jae Lee; Sang Hoon Ahn


 


Key clients

Hanwha REITs


KPlogistic PFV Co., Ltd.


Kiwoom Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Capstone Asset Management Co., Ltd.


Smilegate Asset Management


Godeok PFV Co., Ltd.


Mastern Investment Management


NH Bank Co., Ltd.


Gwansu PFV


Yangji SLC PFV


KORAMCO REIT


Jayang PFV Co., Ltd.


Hana Alternative Investment


DS Networks Asset Management


Busan office No. 1 REITs


Mokpo Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation


Work highlights


  • Advised Hanwha REITs on the purchase of Hanwha General Insurance’s Yeouido building.
  • Advised KPlogistic PFV Co., Ltd. on the sales of a logistics centre located in Wonchang-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon.
  • Advised Kiwoom Core Retail No. 1 REITs on the purchase of Gwangmyoung Lotte Mall and financing for the required funds.