Praised as ‘one of the top firms in Korea’, Yulchon houses an ’outstanding’ practice, handling a broad range of corporate and financial cases, while branching out into cryptocurrency and blockchain-related disputes. The team has an established reputation, representing major Korean conglomerates in domestic disputes and working on the Korean exchange, co-led by post-M&A arbitration specialist Il Bong Moon. Other practice head Yong Pyo Yeom handles debt and equity matters, and advises on contentious construction, tax and real estate disputes. Elsewhere, Sy Nae Kim is an esteemed advocate in public and private international disputes, particularly in the trade and logistics sectors, while Ik Hyun Kim handles trust, white-collar crime and product liability cases. The team has been further boosted with the arrival of arbitration expert David MacArthur.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ik Hyun Kim is top-tier in terms of experience and expertise. He is the leading lawyer for regulation and legislation related to virtual assets in Korea.'

  • ‘The Yulchon team has a great strength in experts from various fields, who organically form a team which provides comprehensive solutions.'

  • ‘Yulchon is one of the top firms in Korea and especially competent to handle complex and highly sophisticated cases. Their performance in domestic litigation is especially remarkable.'

  • ‘Sy Nae Kim is very experienced in all kinds of cross-border disputes, with a focus on insolvency, corporate restructuring, accounting, mobility and shipping-related matters.'

  • ‘Yulchon's litigation team, led by Yong Pyo Yeom, is outstanding amongst the major Korean law firms.'

  • ‘Yong Pyo Yeom is the most outstanding lawyer practising in Korea. He has consistently demonstrated the best technical skills and commercial understanding.'

  • 'Il Bong Moon has abundant knowledge and experience.'

  • 'Sy Nae Kim is a solid practitioner.'

Key clients

  • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd.
  • Coupang Corp.
  • Hyundai Motor Company
  • KB Kookmin Bank
  • KT
  • Shinhan Bank
  • Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.
  • NH INVESTMENT & SECURITIES CO.,LTD.
  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
  • Dunamu
  • Bithumb

Work highlights

  • Advised the Korea Exchange in a Civil Action Brought by the Shareholders of Gamma Nu Inc.
  • Advised the largest Security Solutions Provider in Korea, S-1 Corporation in a KRW 68.4 billion claim.
  • Advised in a lawsuit seeking Payment for the Construction of in the 3-2 Construction Area for the Metropolitan High-speed Railway.

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

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Il Bong Moon, Yong Pyo Yeom

Other key lawyers

Sy Nae Kim, Ik Hyun Kim, David MacArthur