Consisting of a shipping and logistics team and a ship financing team, Lee & Ko maintains an active practice in the maritime space. The firm has a notable track record in traditional shipping matters, while also expanding its practice to connected industries. Yun-Jeong Seo leads the ship finance team and has established an impressive client roster of Korean shipping companies. Yang-Ho Yoon oversees the shipping team, acting in the major shipping cases the firm receives and exceling in marine insurance and charterparty disputes. Jin-Young Jung remains a key contact for traditional maritime matters, ship sale and purchase, and disputes. Young-Jae Park is a key advisor on wet shipping cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Lee & Ko is one of Korea’s leading law firms, distinguished by its robust and highly experienced maritime practice. The team is well-equipped to handle a wide range of cases, offering clients comprehensive legal services across various matters.’
‘In particular, their expertise in shipping-related disputes enables them to effectively manage all types of contentious issues in this field. As a client, I value their ability to provide thorough and reliable support, which sets them apart from other firms.’
‘Mr. Young-Jae Park is an outstanding attorney whom I consistently recommend when asked to introduce a highly competent lawyer in Korea. He possesses extensive knowledge and experience across a broad spectrum of shipping-related matters and consistently provides concise, insightful, and practical legal advice.’
‘Partner Young-Jae Park is an extremely skilled expert who provides service to clients in a very timely and accurate manner. Despite the complexity of this case, which requires highly technical aspects, his advice was very insightful and compelling.’
‘As one of the leading law firms in Korea, it is considered a top candidate for engagement in litigation matters. This firm is home to many intelligent attorneys who possess both expertise and capability. Their legal services are consistently of high quality, and their fees are not unreasonably high.’
‘The partner lawyer, Mr. Young-Jae Park, demonstrates exceptional competence. His litigation strategy, the quality of legal documents, communication with clients, and in-depth understanding of the shipping and trading sectors are all outstanding.’
Key clients
- HYDOR AS
- Japan P & I Club
- HMM Corporation Limited
- Pan Ocean Co., Ltd.
- Busan Port Terminal Co., Ltd
- Taeyoung Shipping Co., Ltd.
- Heung-A Shipping Co., Ltd
- DSEC Co. ,Ltd.
- Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.
- Lotte Global Logistics Co., Ltd.
- Samsung SDS Co., Ltd.
- LX Pantos Logistics Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
Assisted Corio Generation following a conditional approval from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on development of an offshore wind farm due to non-compliance with the required safety clearance distance from nearby shipping routes.
Provided the Ministry of Justice with comprehensive legal advice on issues including potential liability of the state, airport authority, and aircraft manufacturer, the possibility of recourse claims, relevant U.S. jurisdictional law, and insurance coverage, following the tragic aircraft incident on 29 December 2024 at Muan International Airport.
Advised Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) in relation to the financing of nine second-hand bulk carriers for HMM Co., Ltd. in the aggregate amount of $150,750,000.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Yang Ho Yoon; Yun Jeong Seo
Other key lawyers
Jin-Young Jung; Young-Jae Park