Regarded as ‘uniquely well-positioned at the intersection of financial regulation, blockchain technology, and institutional infrastructure’, Lee & Ko’s team is a first port of call for clients in emerging fields such as fintech, digital finance, security token offerings, and responsibilities mapping. The practice is jointly led of Taekyoung Kwon, with prior experience from the Financial Supervisory Service and a practice spanning financial company inspections and unfair trade practices, and Woo Young Choi, who chiefly concentrates on cryptocurrency regulatory response and related litigation. Han Kyung Lee advises on compliance, regulatory issues, and response strategies related to FSS inspections and sanctions, whereas Hyeong-Min YOO acts for banks, insurance, and mutual savings banks in regulatory and compliance mandates. Seong Hwan Ju specialises in traditional financial regulation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'We have worked with the firm on a wide range of FinTech and digital asset-related matters and have found their practice to be uniquely well-positioned at the intersection of financial regulation, blockchain technology, and institutional infrastructure.'
- 'We would particularly highlight Woo Young Choi, who has consistently brought sound strategic thinking to complex FinTech regulatory questions, and played a critical role in helping us shape our licensing and custody framework.'
- 'Unlike many firms that provide fragmented or overly conservative advice in emerging areas, this team delivers clear, commercially actionable guidance that reflects a strong understanding of both legal frameworks and the evolving realities of the digital asset ecosystem. What truly differentiates them is their ability to interpret ambiguous or evolving regulation and translate it into practical, risk-sensitive strategies that align with business goals.'
- 'The individuals we’ve worked with combine deep subject matter expertise with a rare ability to navigate ambiguity and move decisively. In an industry like digital assets, where the legal landscape is still forming, their ability to provide practical, forward-looking advice is invaluable. They are not only technically strong, but also exhibit a business-oriented mindset, always seeking to align legal strategy with commercial outcomes.'
- 'What we value most is their clarity, responsiveness, and judgement under pressure. Whether advising on token structuring, cross-border custody issues, or regulatory engagement, the individuals we’ve worked with consistently demonstrate credibility with regulators, strong communication with counterparties, and seamless collaboration with internal teams.'
- 'This team's most distinctive feature is its ability to provide a one-stop comprehensive service that goes beyond simple legal advice. To solve all legal issues in the fintech and financial services sector, the team works closely with various specialized groups within the firm.'
Key clients
- Mirae Asset Securities Co., Ltd.
- Korbit Inc.
- KakaoBank Corp.
- Coinone, Inc.
- Woori Financial Capital Co.,Ltd Co.
- Standard Chartered Bank Korea Limited
- KB Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.
- Korea Securities Depositary
- ING Bank N.V., Seoul Arab
- SHINHAN INVESTMENT CO.
- INMARK REITs Management Inc.
- Kasa Korea Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
Advised Galaxia Moneytree Co., Ltd. on successfully receiving designation as an innovative financial service from the Financial Services Commission for a fractional investment financial instrument using trust beneficiary certificates and blockchain tokens, marking the first Security Token Offering in Korea after the FSC’s announcement of the “Measures to Overhaul Regulations to Permit Issuance and Circulation of Security Tokens”.
Advised Mirae Asset Securities, Eugene Investment & Securities and SK Securities on the Financial Supervisory Service's inspection of the adequacy of operation of fixed-income wraps/trust and response to sanctions.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Hyeong Min Yoo
Practice head
Taekyoung Kwon; Woo Young Choi
Other key lawyers
Han Kyung Lee; Hyeong-Min YOO; Seong Hwan Ju