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Fintech and financial services regulatory: local firms

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Kim & Chang

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Kim & Chang's financial regulation and compliance department remains ‘very close to the pulse on regulatory developments’, and is experienced in financial authorities’ audits and investigations, business licensing processes, mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, and electronic finance and data protection. Co-head Kye Sung Chung is a seasoned advisor on financial regulatory matters, while co-head Sang Hwan Lee’s broad practice features mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, securities laws and regulations, and banking. Chan Moon Park acts on a varied stream of work, including banking and securities regulations, and mergers and acquisitions in the industry. Gye-Jeong Kim is sought after for cross-border issues in the area of fintech, privacy, and data security.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They are the strongest Korean law firm on Korean regulatory matters for cross-border businesses. Very close to the pulse on regulatory developments.’

  • ‘Eun Gyung Choi is a standout partner for K&C. She has been our go-to for short-selling-related matters. She is well-versed, thorough, and gives excellent insight.’

  • ‘Kim & Chang stands out as a top-tier law firm in the Web3 and fintech space, offering a rare combination of legal precision, regulatory insight, and commercial understanding.’

  • ‘The firm has advised across the full lifecycle of blockchain and fintech projects—from entity and token structuring to legal characterisation of digital assets, cross-border strategy, and exchange listings—bringing unmatched depth of experience and market awareness.’

  • ‘What sets Kim & Chang apart is its practical, business-aligned approach backed by a multidisciplinary team of experts in technology, financial regulation, tax, data protection, and capital markets.'
  • 'Clients value the firm’s ability to offer swift, integrated, and forward-thinking advice that keeps pace with rapidly evolving market dynamics.’

Key clients

  • Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd
  • KB Kookmin Bank
  • KB Securities Co. Ltd.
  • KB Life Insurance Co, Ltd.
  • AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
  • Smilegate Holdings
  • Goldman Sachs (Asia) LLC.
  • Bank of America, N.A.
  • Viva Republica
  • Toss Bank
  • Toss Securities
  • Toss Payments

Work highlights

Advised various financial investment companies on preparing measures to standardise the application of the amended Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies (the “Corporate Governance Act”).
Acted for global investment banks in relation to Korean financial regulators’ short sale regulatory enforcement actions.
Assisted multiple financial institutions with applying for designation as innovative financial services utilising generative AI.

Practice head

Kye Sung Chung; Sang Hwan Lee

Other key lawyers

Chan Moon Park; Gye-Jeong Kim; I-Re Lim; Eun Gyung Choi; Joon-Young Kim; Junho Bae; Sung Yun Kang