Real estate: local firms

Lee & Ko

Lee & Ko‘s sizeable real estate team has expertise across a wide range of matters, including domestic commercial investment, overseas development, domestic reconstruction and redevelopment, trust management, and disputes. The team is highly experienced in overseas investment, advising on structuring, tax planning, and navigating regulatory issues. Co-head Junghwan Lee is well-versed in assisting clients with overseas investment portfolios and commercial transactions, while co-head Dong Seok Woo focuses on real estate financing and fund of funds investments. Jin Wook Kang, another co-head, specialises in real estate development projects, including REITs and project financing. Jee In Kim complements the team with her focus on collective investment vehicles and financial compliance in real estate transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Lee & Ko has been very supportive, with speed in giving the advice and accuracy on legal counselling.’
‘Though it requires more time, Lee & Ko prioritised our firm and kept a good relationship for a long time.’
‘The real estate practice is distinguished by its handling of volumes of sophisticated cross-border joint venture and acquisition transactions as well as the structuring of Korean investment vehicles for overseas investment. The practice represents A-list global institutional investors who turn to the team for expert guidance.’
‘Junghwan Lee is a trusted advisor who has deep and long-term relationships with his clients. His combination of superb legal acumen and practical business savvy provides unique value. Clients seek him out for international transactions due to his cross-cultural skills and ability to interpret the nuances of English-language legal documentation as well as his extensive global network.’
‘The partners and the team show extraordinary advice and legal services. Their solution does not only cover the legal fields but also the commercial sides of the client.’

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.
KTB Asset 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
GIC

Work highlights

Advised Samsung SRA Asset Management on Formation of USD 815,000,000 (KRW 1.1 Trillion) Blind Fund and Investment/Acquisition of Properties in Europe and In-Kind Contribution into Real Estate Funds of Savills IM.
Advised Shinhan Alpha REITs / Shinhan REITs Management (as the REIT’s GP) on sale of Yongsan The Prime Tower, a mixed-use building located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea for KRW 238.4 billion.
Advised ICG Group investment entities on the conversion of two existing hotels into co-living facilities and their subsequent operation.