BKL’s Antitrust and Competition Group draws on extensive experience and outstanding expertise to provide legal services across the full spectrum of antitrust matters ranging from responses to antitrust and competition regulations, representation in administrative, civil and criminal proceedings, advisory services for merger filings, antitrust compliance and legislative consulting.

Extensive work experience and expertise

BKL’s Antitrust and Competition Group consists of seasoned attorneys licensed to practice in Korea and foreign jurisdictions and professionals in the areas of antitrust and competition. The group has acquired a deep understanding of industrial organization and business environment from working on projects related to various preventive measures and ex-post remedial actions across various industries, including a) response to investigations and deliberation by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, Prosecution’s Services, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; b) representation in related administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings; c) merger filings with national and international competition authorities for global M&As; and d) compliance services. Based on the accumulated expertise and know-how, BKL is capable of providing practical and substantive legal advisory services required to successfully solve clients’ pressing needs.

Delivering total solutions tailored to the needs of clients

BKL provides a one-stop, comprehensive solution that encompasses not only antitrust regulations but also legal issues that may arise in civil and criminal disputes and tax litigation. BKL’s Antitrust and Competition Group reviews and analyzes various potential legal issues from the early stage of a case to cooperate with professionals in the areas of criminal defense, tax, corporate litigation, economic analysis, and forensics, the synergy of which leads to remarkable outcomes in response to prosecutors’ antitrust investigations and related civil and criminal proceedings. Furthermore, in light of changes in the regulatory environment in the fields of antitrust and tax, BKL operates Antitrust and Tax Criminal Defense Taskforce to provide comprehensive solutions on tax and criminal defense issues related to antitrust and competition, responding to clients’ needs in a prompt and proactive manner.
 

BKL’s Automobile & Mobility group, with its team of professionals who have extensive experience in the automotive industry and have worked in close collaboration with relevant authorities, organizations and experts, offers comprehensive legal services tailored to individual clients, ranging from dealing with regulatory authorities to dispute resolution.

Our practice specializes in not only traditional business models of internal combustion engine automobiles and license-oriented transportation service industries, but also new business models using cutting edge technology in the smart mobility industry. Such technology include electronic vehicles, autonomous vehicles, unmanned vehicles and so on. The Automobile & Mobility group provides in-depth legal analysis and insight into Korea’s automobile and smart mobility space, the latest material developments in regulation and policy of this rapidly evolving area, and this is coupled with the Firm’s first-rank expertise in every adjacent practice area, including corporate, fair competition, environmental, data security and government relations, along with a top litigation practice.

As counsel to a vast spectrum of automobile and related businesses, both Korean and overseas, we aim to support and guide industry stakeholders in order to bring about sensible and balanced changes in government regulation as it affects these new and evolving industries.

BKL's Corporate Restructuring Practice Group has amassed extensive experience and expertise through handling numerous corporate restructuring, rehabilitation, and insolvency cases, including those arising during the IMF financial crisis and the global financial crisis. The Group has developed not only ex-post facto response capabilities but also outstanding skills in identifying potential risks proactively. Through the seamless teamwork of attorneys, CPAs, and dedicated researchers equipped with substantial experience, in-depth knowledge, and swift execution capabilities, the Group provides clients with proactive preventive measures and tailored solutions for restructuring and insolvency cases at every stage and in various scenarios.

Advisory services regarding corporate restructuring and insolvency cases cannot be effectively handled through mere legal interpretation or document drafting skills. They also require a comprehensive understanding of a company’s operational and financial structures, the principles and practices of corporate accounting, the practices and regulations of capital markets and financial investment systems, court practices and tendencies, and the policy directions of government authorities. BKL's Corporate Restructuring Practice Group collaborates organically with various professionals having not only practical experiences but also deep insight and expertise gained from their long tenure with government agencies and supervisory authorities, thereby delivering optimal multidimensional solutions.

Based on the foregoing, BKL provides comprehensive legal services in all areas of insolvency and corporate restructuring, including developing restructuring plans for insolvency-prone companies, designing rehabilitation strategies for insolvent companies, legal advisory and litigation services related to insolvency proceedings, corporate restructuring solutions (such as asset sales, business transfers, spin-offs, and mergers), restructuring measures for distressed companies, legal advisory services under the Corporate Restructuring Promotion Act, and NPL (non-performing loan) transfer and debt recovery services. BKL also collaborates closely with leading international law firms to offer widely recognized legal services in the field of cross-border insolvency.
 

BKL is a leading Korean law firm in the capital markets area, continuously having been selected to represent the largest and most well-known clients in some of the most high-profile capital market transactions, including IPOs, domestic and overseas listings and various kinds of securities offerings, with sophisticated transactional structures and the newest financing techniques. BKL offers practical legal advice and solutions to some of the most complicated issues based on its deep understanding of the applicable laws and practice, as well as the recent stance taken by the regulatory authorities on intricate issues. In recognition of BKL’s expertise in this area, its Capital Market Team has been consistently ranked as a Tier 1 expert in capital markets by world-renowned legal media organizations, including the Chambers, IFLR, Legal 500 and ALB.

Full Spectrum of Advisory Services covering All Types and Aspects of Capital Markets Transactions

As a legal advisor, BKL has been engaged in a wide range of high-profile equity capital market transactions including, among others, Korean and overseas IPOs by domestic and foreign enterprises, foreign stock exchange listings by domestic enterprises, concurrent dual-listings on both the Korea Exchange and an overseas stock exchange, and issuance of offshore Depository Receipts (DR), which have received significant market attention. Further, BKL has been advising Korean government agencies and organizations, public corporations, financial institutions and other general corporations on various types of debt and hybrid capital market transactions such as issuance of domestic and foreign bonds including equity-linked securities, convertible bonds, exchangeable bonds, bonds with warrant, and other hybrid securities, as well as block trades of such securities. In particular, BKL has been a pioneer in advising on public offerings and listings of REITs. In acting for such capital markets transactions, BKL provides comprehensive advisory services from the inchoate stage of structuring the transaction, through negotiation of trade terms and drafting and execution of contracts, to the consummation of the transaction and beyond.

Providing Practical Solutions Based on High-Quality Expertise and Experience of Professionals from Various Areas of Capital Markets

BKL understands that advising on capital markets transactions and regulations requires a good understanding of not only the laws and regulations, but also market trends and clients’ economic needs. BKL’s Capital Market Group has a long distinguished track record of dealing with various aspects of capital market transactions and regulatory requirements, allowing it to better understand the clients’ needs as well as the current market situation, based on which it is well positioned to offer tailored and to-the-point legal advice and practical solutions to clients. Furthermore, BKL also work with highly-qualified professionals who have extensive experience with various capital markets related government organizations and public institutions, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Financial Services Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service and the Korea Exchange, which augments its ability to provide practical advice that would also be more feasible and realistic from a regulatory and compliance perspective. Having extensive experience in advising on  cross-border capital markets transactions with foreign features, BKL is also highly regarded for being able to advise on capital markets deals and/or transactions with foreign elements through its highly qualified professionals with relevant foreign expertise and experience, and its network developed with foreign law firms, thereby ensuring that its legal advice and solutions can be congruent with, and seamless integrated with, the legal requirements and practices of such foreign jurisdiction.
 

Since its establishment in 1997 as the Korea’s first legal advisory group specializing in China, BKL’s China Practice Group has been providing one-stop legal services on a wide range of China-related legal matters. BKL was the first Korean law firm to open an office in Beijing in 2004, followed by a Shanghai office in 2008 and a Hong Kong office in 2013, enabling BKL to carry out well-organized, collaborative, and comprehensive China practice across four offices in Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Pioneer and leader in assisting Korean companies in their investments in China

The China Practice Group has delivered unparalleled results in advising Korean companies in numerous landmark China-bound investments involving partnership/joint venture projects, exit projects with billions (USD) in transaction value, high-profile and complex M&A transactions, pre-IPO placements, negotiations with the Chinese government and fair trade. The M&A projects in China BKL has advised on and closed since 2018 amount to a deal value of more than USD 17 billion. It is no exaggeration to say that BKL’s China Practice Group handled the vast majority of notable and high-value outbound projects and transactions of Korean companies into China.

Responding to diverse demands of Korean companies in China with proactive approach

BKL offers comprehensive and full-scale legal services to Korean companies in diverse fields of Chinese law such as data privacy, personal data protection, HR/labor, general corporate, contracts, fair trade, intellectual property, trade, dispute resolution, M&A, and liquidation/exit. We pride ourselves on our ability to proactively advise clients on the ever-changing legal landscape and to seamlessly coordinate with local law firms to provide effective, cost-efficient services. In addition, our ability to advise on sweeping changes in the legal landscape and complex legal issues has been relied upon by major Korean governmental agencies, including the Korean Embassy in China, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Chamber of Commerce in China, KOTRA, Korean International Trade Association and Korea Copyright Commission in support of important governmental decisions.

Partner and defender of Chinese companies in entry into the Korean market

Drawing upon our capabilities and extensive experience on advising cross-border matters, we provide customized legal advice to Chinese companies on Korean laws in connection with foreign investments such as acquisition of Korean companies, listings on the Korea Exchange, investments in real estate and establishment of Korean subsidiaries and joint ventures with Korean partners. We have also defended Chinese clients and delivered successful results in civil, administrative and criminal lawsuits in Korea. In addition, we provide tailored government relations services to Chinese clients in response to the Korean government’s heightened monitoring of Chinese companies based on their expanded presence and increasing investments in Korea.

Leading China desk in Korea

BKL's Seoul, Beijing, and Shanghai offices currently have more dedicated Korean and Chinese lawyers and other professionals than any other Korean law firm. BKL’s China Practice Group differentiates itself from other China desks in Korea with our first-hand experience in China-related legal matters. Many of the Korean attorneys in our China Practice Group have practiced in China for over 10 years and gained a deep understanding of the Chinese legal and business landscape. Conversely, our Chinese attorneys have previously worked for major Chinese law firms or Korean conglomerates in cross-border matters involving both China and Korea. We utilize such experiences in helping our clients navigate the legal and commercial complexities of cross-border transactions between Korea and China, and we believe our ability to understand the subtle legal and business nuances involving China matters is unmatched by other Korean law firms.
 

BKL prides itself on establishing the first-ever construction and real estate practice group in Korea and building up a massive amount of database and experience in handing the cases involving construction and real estate. 

Unrivaled Experience and Expertise

The construction and development of and various transactions involving real estate, the essence of which is often considered to create something out of nothing, has always been exposed to a variety of complex legal issues. To satisfy the sophisticated legal needs of its clients, BKL organized a specialized construction and real estate practice group in the late 1990s, the first of its kind in the Korean legal community. The group has since handled high-profile cases in Korea and overseas, thereby building up unparalleled experience in a wide array of issues. Further, its team of recognized professionals with decades of experience in the courts, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and law firms collaborates seamlessly to provide swift and tailored legal solutions, achieving a high success rate in construction litigation.

Top-Ranking Service Provider Recognized by Clients in the Construction and Real Estate Practice Area

Based on clients’ trust, BKL has ranked first in the construction and real estate field in the “Best Law Firm” survey conducted jointly by Law Times Korea and Korean In-House Counsel Association for multiple years. It also garnered top-tier recognition from leading overseas media.

BKL’s Corporate Practice Group combines unparalleled expertise and experience for delivery of comprehensive legal services tailored to meet the diverse needs of corporate clients, regardless of the industry, jurisdiction, transaction type, scale, or complexity. Our hallmark is providing swift, practical solutions through an integrated one-stop approach that focuses on addressing client challenges effectively and efficiently.

Comprehensive and Borderless One-Stop Legal Advisory Services for Corporations

Our services cover all aspects of corporate operations, from day-to-day legal issues to establishing corporate governance structures for stable operations, inbound and outbound investment for growth, addressing disputes over management control, and the unique challenges faced by emerging and startup companies.

We aim to provide swift, user-friendly and multi-dimensional services that deliver tangible benefits to clients by collaborating in real-time with experts across various fields such as antitrust, labor and employment, taxation, intellectual property, government regulation, and disputes.  This approach has earned the trust of a broad spectrum of clients, from domestic and international corporations to startups, private equity firms, and small- and mid-sized enterprises, reinforcing our position as to the go-to partner in critical and time-sensitive legal matters.

Tailored Legal Advice and Practical Solutions for Every Client

At BKL, we put our clients first, prioritizing their unique circumstances and needs to deliver bespoke legal services.  Beyond traditional legal counsel, we provide creative and high-quality solutions through deep analysis of each transaction’s objectives.

Our commitment to offering actionable and meaningful solutions drives us to approach every case with dedication and meticulous attention to detail. This client-centric approach has earned us the trust of leading companies worldwide and consistent recognition as a top-tier legal service provider by esteemed institutions such as Chambers, IFLR, Legal 500, and ALB.
 
 

BKL’s Criminal Defense Group comprises of seasoned attorneys who have built their careers in the prosecution service and police as well as professionals with extensive expertise and know-how in response to law enforcement investigations, advisory service for corporate crime cases, internal investigations, and digital forensics. The group provides legal services that are tailored to the needs and interests of our clients and delivers optimal results through seamless cooperation with experts in various practice areas and professions.

Seamless cooperation among top-notch professionals with extensive experience in relevant practice areas to provide optimal solutions for various criminal cases and obtain best results

BKL’s Criminal Defense Group works in tandem, leveraging synergy among its members, including (a) veteran attorneys coming from the prosecutor’s office and police, whose previous posts include prosecutor general, chief prosecutor, and provincial commissioner; (b) attorneys with extensive investigative experience and expertise in specialized practice areas including white collar crimes, finance, antitrust and competition, tax, public order (labor), and digital investigations; and (c) professionals with substantial know-how and competencies across corporate crime practice areas. When working on a case, the group closely cooperates with professionals in the relevant fields to derive optimal solutions. Based on such seamless cooperation, BKL’s Criminal Defense Group has worked on high-profile criminal cases, delivering best results and building a proven track record in various areas. 

One-stop, comprehensive legal services to prevent and minimize risk at all stages of criminal defense, including response to law enforcement investigations, advisory services for corporate crime cases, and internal investigations

In the area of criminal defense, clients now expect from law firms more than minimizing their risks of criminal liabilities through effective representation and response to investigations: their expectations extend to (a) legal advisory and compliance services for corporate crime cases to prevent potential risk; (b) internal investigations into misconduct; and (c) remedial measures through litigation representation. In relation to these areas, BKL’s Criminal Defense Group has extensive experience, know-how and expertise. The group provides one-stop, comprehensive legal services that encompass all stages of criminal defense, ranging from preventive measures against escalation of criminal charges to case resolution to ex-post preventive safeguards, in close cooperation with taskforce teams in various areas including antitrust, tax, securities fraud, digital finance, and serious industrial accidents, and professionals with working experience from relevant authorities such as the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the National Tax Service.

State-of-the-art digital forensics to streamline and speed up work process, deriving optimal solutions

In this modern digital world, all corporate activities are unfolding on PCs and other digital devices, necessitating proper utilization of digital forensics to enable prompt and precise fact-finding and evidence gathering. The digital forensics methodology oftentimes determines the make or break of criminal defense work, including response to search and seizure orders and investigations into related parties, internal investigations and litigation representation, and establishment of compliance systems.  In light of this imperative, BKL’s Criminal Defense Group has set up a dedicated forensics team with extensive experience and ability to use cutting-edge equipment and systems required for digital data collection and analysis.  This team provides real-time digital forensics analysis and advice on cyber response. This technology-driven approach allows us to provide premier legal services across the full spectrum of criminal defense work and deliver optimal solutions.
 

BKL’s Customs & International Trade Practice Group provides comprehensive solutions that satisfy clients’ needs in response to rapid changes to the customs/trade environment that create risks arising from the increasing numbers of free trade agreements, cross-border intercompany transactions by multinationals, new businesses such as virtual assets, intensified customs audits, and increased protectionism of domestic industries in trade policies. 

Changes in international/domestic customs/international trade environments

Recently, while experiencing a rapid shift from the WTO system to FTA’s open trade system, the world trade economy is facing a very confusing and uncertain environment due to the weakening multilateralism system and intensified inclination to pursue national interests. Moreover, the main risks and enforcement actions in the areas of customs and international trade are changing quickly as multinationals increase cross-border intercompany transactions, new types of businesses emerge, and major trading partner countries become interested in introducing trade safety systems to prevent dumping and terror. Accordingly, the Korean customs authorities have been increasing the scope of their audits in response to the rapidly changing environment. To efficiently manage such risks, it is necessary to have an in-depth understanding of the relevant industries, business environment, and the overall economy. In addition, it is vital for customs experts to have abundant experience and knowledge in the interpretation of laws and regulations, government policies, as well as customs authorities’ actual enforcement.  

Unrivaled experience and expertise

The Customs & International Trade Practice Group consists of a group of professionals with the capacity to analyze and understand recent global/domestic trade environmental changes, the customs authorities’ policies and market trends, and to provide clients with solutions based on expertise and know-how based on unrivalled experience in the relevant areas. In addition to a group of experienced tax attorneys specializing in customs and international trade, our Group has experts in different areas that are related to customs and international trade, including CPAs, former government officials and senior advisors who have previous worked at the Korean Customs Service. Further, our Group is uniquely situated to provide fully integrated and comprehensive solutions to any cross-border customs and international trade issue in close cooperation with leading law firms outside of Korea.

BKL’s Data Protection and Privacy Practice Group provides effective and timely solutions to meet clients’ needs based on our market-leading expertise and practical understanding of the regulatory environment. We routinely advise companies on data protection and privacy compliance in relation to a wide range of service launches both in Korea and abroad, as well as data breach and regulatory investigations. Our experience in this area has been unparalleled and our understanding of the complex framework of both domestic and global legal requirements has been recognized by awards from the leading domestic and overseas legal media, regulatory authorities and client satisfaction surveys. Our clients come from all industries including IT, retail and distribution, pharmaceuticals, video gaming, streaming services, e-commerce and financial services.

BKL conducts evaluation and assessment of data protection and privacy risks based on comparative analysis and our working knowledge of both domestic and overseas personal data regulatory systems, and provides regulatory and compliance advice to produce optimized solutions based on such risk assessment. With the heightened regulatory requirements for data protection and privacy in both the EU and the US, which have global reach and thus practical implications for companies directing their services towards EU and California residents regardless of where the company is located, effective legal advice in today’s highly connected world of business requires the understanding of both the domestic and overseas legal requirements applicable to the handling of personal data.

BKL also provides services to help companies build an efficient governance system for big data, AI and Mydata while minimizing the legal risks. The new opportunities made possible by big data are accompanied by myriad issues of data protection and privacy requiring thorough legal review and effective risk controls and response measures.

BKL also provides advisory services in connection with administrative measures and investigations by relevant administrative agencies in accordance with laws and regulations related to personal information.

Moreover, BKL provides prompt advice in case of personal information infringement incidents and data breaches, and dedicated representation in civil and criminal litigation based on profound expertise and vast experience.

BKL’s Defense Industry & Public Contract Practice Group maintains a collaborative system across government institutions, the synergy of which is built and boosted by multiple professionals who have accumulated extensive experience and expertise from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea, and courts.

The defense industry, a crucial pillar of national security, is now poised to propel the Korean economy toward the future and involves an array of legal issues arising from public contracts for procurement of various goods and services that the government or public institutions need. Resolving such complexity requires not only a well-versed understanding of the defense industry but also precise and systematic expertise in government tenders, domestic and global contracts, and applicable laws (including various governmental regulations and administrative rules and authoritative interpretation of the competent authorities such as the Public Procurement Services and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration).

BKL’s Defense Industry & Public Contract Practice Group provides professional and creative solutions to increasingly diverse and complex legal issues related to the defense industry and public contracts, thereby proactively addressing clients’ various needs.
 

In 1994, a BKL attorney handled what was possibly the earliest commercial domain name dispute in Korea between bona fide claimants, namely a U.S. telecom and a Korean dial-up ISP. Since that time, BKL’s e-commerce group has advanced swiftly in step with the fast-evolving technology and practices of online businesses, which is particularly noteworthy in light of the new found demand on e-commerce created by COVID-19.

Our e-commerce practice offers specialized, state-of-the-art advice on the full spectrum of issues affecting internet B2B service providers, retailers and auction marketplaces, and hosting sites. Our team regularly advises on commercial tie-ups and other contracts that underpin many online businesses, including advertising, portal and partnership arrangements, as well as forms of “clickwrap” licenses and consumer purchase contracts. In addition, we provide in-depth advice on the regulatory aspects of online commerce, including registration and disclosure requirements, data privacy and storage, consumer protection rules, and copyright and trademark issues. In the financial area, we have advised several insurer clients on online marketing, as well as telemarketing, of their insurance products.

As counsel to a number of the leading online retailing operations and portal sites in Korea, we monitor and advise on the latest material developments in regulation and policy, as well as judicial precedents in these rapidly evolving areas of law. The Firm has itself been at the forefront, among Korean law firms, in helping to guide efficient, sensible changes in government regulation as it affects e-commerce.

BKL’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group provides clients with comprehensive and specialized legal services, drawing on extensive experience in collaborating with energy and infrastructure companies in Korea and abroad as well as deep understanding of regulations. Its one-stop advisory services can help clients with efficient management and successful completion of complex projects across various areas including project development, project financing, project construction and operation. Furthermore, our prompt and effective response to a dispute ensures business continuity of our clients, providing value as a reliable business partner. With such a comprehensive suite of services, BKL’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group meets the needs of our clients and provide optimal solutions for successful business.

One-stop service for the entire stage of project development

BKL’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group provides legal advisory services that not only meet the expectations of project finance lenders but also constitute practical and substantive advice throughout the entire stage, including the initial development, feasibility test, contract negotiation, and licenses and permits. Given the large scale of the infrastructure industry, a project’s bidding procedures and deal structure must be thoroughly assessed, along with execution of project agreements to initiate and operate the project and financing agreements to fund the project. The project’s successful progress also depends on negotiations with numerous stakeholders and risk analyses. BKL helps clients with managing such complicated procedures efficiently and thereby contributing to the smooth completion of the project, by providing one-stop services for the project that starts with the review of the deal structure, drafting and negotiation of project agreements and financing agreements, obtainment of licenses and permits, execution of the final definitive documentation and closing of the deal, as well as post-closing management.

Customized advisory services tailored to the regulation-heavy industry

BKL’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice Group provides customized advisory services leveraging its deep understanding of regulation-heavy industries and setting up a team of professionals with work experience from government agencies in the relevant fields. Energy and infrastructure industries involve multiple stakeholders in Korea and abroad as well as various financing techniques and complex deal structures. In light of this complexity, the group provides effective and efficient services in collaboration with other practice groups of BKL starting from the initial stage of the project, including regulation consulting, corporate legal affairs, regulations, and disputes. The group can assist clients in growing their businesses within the boundaries of regulations through meticulous analysis of the background and history of regulations and relevant real-world cases to minimize business risk and drive sustainable growth. Drawing on representative experience with numerous stakeholders including business owners, equity investors, and lender groups, BKL is poised to provide customized legal advisory services tailored to the needs of our clients and the characteristics of their industries, assisting clients with navigating through imminent challenges.
 

Our Entertainment, Sports & Game Group is comprised of experts with deep understanding of the entertainment, sports, and game industries. Our well-seasoned professionals provide comprehensive and specialized legal services based on ample experience and expertise in the field and related organizations to meet the needs of clients in related companies and industries. 

Leading Legal Services in the Fields of Entertainment and Sports

With the rise of the “Korean Wave” which started with K-Pop and K-Drama and having expanded to K-Beauty, K-Food, and K-Culture, the entertainment industry is making a significant global impact. This has driven an increase in corporate activities such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), establishment of joint ventures, and licensing and merchandising agreements between industry players. Furthermore, a growing number of cross-border initiatives are taking place, with foreign firms actively collaborating and investing, while Korean companies expand their footprint overseas.
The entertainment industry can uniquely create high value-add through the enhancement of intangible assets and brand value, and therefore it is important to protect and manage intellectual property rights (IP), including copyrights.

BKL’s Entertainment, Sports & Game Group is comprised of highly experienced professionals with extensive expertise across various segments of the entertainment and sports industries, including film, television, music, internet, and emerging media. 
Our team provides tailored, end-to-end legal services to help our clients navigate every stage of their business journey, from the initial stage of financing and company establishment to operations, M&A, joint ventures, and overseas expansion. 
In addition, we deliver optimal solutions based on our expertise of the entertainment industry for various legal issues including disputes involving intellectual property rights (such as copyright and portrait rights) that may arise in the course of conducting business.  

Customized Legal Services Based on Abundant and Significant Experience and Expertise in the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry is an area where creative ideas converge with the latest IT technology, storytelling and artistic expressions. Such unique characteristic of the industry entails various legal issues, including intellectual property rights for content, response to IP infringement involving private servers or hacking programs, response to various regulations related to game operation, game user data protection including personal data protection, and contracts related to publishing. BKL’s Entertainment, Sports & Game Group consists of dedicated experts who have a deep understanding of the game industry’s distinct characteristics. We provide in-depth advice to domestic and foreign game companies on various laws and regulations related to the game industry, as well as other legal issues related to business operations.

BKL’s Environment Practice Group provides our clients with comprehensive regulatory, transactional and litigation support on Environment, Health and Safety issues.

We have built an organic cooperative system that brings together experts with a complementary range of skills and experience, led by our attorneys alongside former judges and prosecutors, as well as senior advisors who have previously served in the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation, KATRI, and the Korea Customs Services.

We provide in-depth, tailored legal counseling and advocacy for both domestic and multinational clients on a wide array of environmental issues encompassing air pollution, water quality, waste discharge, soil contamination, noise/vibration, odorous emissions, chemical substances, environmental impact assessments, energy projects, greenhouse gases, RECs and climate change. We assist clients with legal risk assessment, due diligence, licensing and approvals, project development and compliance review, as well as civil, criminal and administrative proceedings and other, alternative means of dispute resolution.

BKL’s Europe Practice Group provides one-stop legal services for European clients operating in Korea across the full spectrum of legal issues, including general corporate, cross-border transactions, tax, labor & employment, data protection, compliance, antitrust, competition, IP, dispute resolution and international trade. Our dedicated experts have practiced in various European jurisdictions and are proficient in Korean, English and many other languages.

BKL is widely recognized for our expertise and strong track record in advising multinational companies headquartered in Europe and Korean companies investing in Europe. With decades of experience in commercial transactions between Korean and European partners, we work closely with our clients to achieve their business objectives, and to resolve complex disputes faced by multinationals in Korea.

Experience, Language and Cultural Familiarity

BKL’s Europe Practice Group includes attorneys and other professionals who have educational backgrounds or work experience in Europe. The European experience, cultural familiarity and foreign language capability of our professionals enable us to communicate with our European clients and provide them with clear guidance on how to fulfil their commercial goals in Korea.

German Practice Unit

Our German Practice Unit is led by a German-qualified, native German-speaking attorney, which is leveraged by our clients’ headquarters in Germany and German-speaking countries, as well as giving our German Practice Unit exceptional insight into the German legal and business environment. 

Teamwork

Our European Practice Group works in seamless collaboration with other professionals at BKL, who offer experience-driven assistance and provide a complete range of support to our European clients.

Alternative Investments

We extensively advise Korean clients on alternative investments in European assets such as infrastructure and real estate. In particular, we have recently covered important real estate investments in European jurisdictions, such as: 

Cross-Border M&As

We act for Korean and European clients in inbound and outbound M&A transactions. We regularly assist our clients as lead counsel in M&A deals across multiple jurisdictions, supported by our global network with local law firms. With our connections in Europe and rich history of advising on important M&A transactions, we deliver efficient and cost-effective service to meet our clients’ needs.

BKL’s Finance Group delivers clear legal advice and innovative solutions by forming an ongoing response team of experts with top-tier expertise in various traditional and other cutting-edge financial transactions utilizing the latest structures and techniques, including domestic and abroad lending, securities issuance, acquisition financing, real estate financing, project finance, securitization, and structured finance.

Comprehensive advisory services encompassing both traditions and trends in financial transactions

BKL has a long history of providing comprehensive and multifaceted advice throughout the entire process of various financial transactions, including domestic and international lending, securities issuance, acquisition financing, project finance, ship and aircraft financing, securitization and structured financing, foreign investment, and overseas investment. BKL’s advisory services span from the design of transaction structures and pre-assessment of potential issues, to contract negotiation and execution, transaction implementation, and post-transaction management. Additionally, even in transactions involving the latest transaction structures and financial techniques, such as project financing for the construction of Korea’s largest casino resort complex and Korea’s first financing transaction using logistics center inventory assets as collective collateral, BKL provides clear analysis of current laws and regulations and offers creative solutions that align with customer trends. Such expertise and capabilities of BKL’s Finance Group are recognized by prestigious legal media outlets worldwide, such as Chambers, IFLR, and Legal 500, where the group receives top rankings in their annual evaluations.

Multidimensional advisory services through collaboration of various experts

When providing financial legal advice, it is crucial not only to have expertise in financial laws and regulations and a precise understanding of the structures and products of financial transactions, but also to have a strong grasp of market trends and client needs. Additionally, the knowledge and experience of various experts should be combined to create synergy.

BKL is staffed with domestic attorneys with the top expertise in each specific area of finance, foreign attorneys from leading international law firms or financial institutions in the US, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore, and experts from government and public institutions such as the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Financial Service Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the Korea Exchange, as well as from banks and financial investment companies. These experts collaborate seamlessly to effectively provide a wide range of legal advice and solutions that meet client needs and offer practical assistance.

Differentiated services through an ongoing response team

BKL’s Finance Group provides customized services tailored to the specific characteristics of clients and transactions through expert teams that are always available to respond to urgent client requests. As a result, the BKL Finance Group has been able to deliver differentiated legal services compared to other law firms, consistently receiving positive feedback from leading financial companies and corporate clients both domestically and internationally. Consequently, a significant number of financial transactions that attract attention or are recognized as first-of-their-kind in the market every year have been carried out with BKL’s legal advice, including advising on project finance for Korea’s first overseas nuclear power plant export and the country’s first REIT listing.
 

BKL, through its professionals who are well-versed in the applicable laws and practical matters across the financial industry sectors, provides sophisticated and creative solutions to financial institutions on various legal issues arising from their day-to-day business operations to financial transactions, licenses and permits, internal control, response to supervisory authorities, M&A transactions, digital transformation and entry into overseas financial markets. Due to the differentiated services of its dedicated team for ongoing support, BKL has achieved outstanding results in such areas as disputes, sanctions, and regulatory reform legislation involving financial institutions.

In particular, BKL prides itself on having exceptional experience and track record in the area of internal control system as it has provided not only a variety of advisory services including the establishment of internal control systems in lockstep with the trend of financial institutions strengthening internal control system but also has performed the drafting of a responsibilities map which was introduced by the amendment of the Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies and various other related tasks. 

Expertise and Proactive Solutions Tailed to Financial Institutions

BKL advises a broad spectrum of global financial institution clients, including financial holding companies, banks, financial investment companies (such as securities companies and asset management companies), specialized credit financing companies and insurance companies, on both day-to-day operations and transactional matters in all areas pertinent to financial institutions, including financial transactions, acquisition of licenses and permits, registrations, internal compliance, response to supervisory authorities’ comprehensive or/and occasional inspections and investigations, anti-money laundering (AML) issues, M&As and overseas expansion. While financial institutions operate under strict laws and regulations in both market entry and business activities, with the introduction of the new corporate governance laws, internal control controls are expected to become more stringent. BKL constantly monitors the regulatory environment and latest developments in the financial services industry and provides preemptive solutions to its financial institution clients, thereby helping them to adapt to changes in regulatory environment without any disruption in the business activities.

Multifaceted Advisory Services through Collaboration of a Variety of Experts

When it comes to legal advisory services to financial institutions, it is of the supreme importance to understand not only the applicable laws and regulations but also the nature of the specific financial industry and the needs of such financial institutions. BKL brings together not only finance lawyers widely recognized as experts in their respective specializations but also specialists with a wealth of experience from local regulators such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Financial Services Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the Korea Exchange, as well as experts from banks and financial investment firms. 

In addition to its expertise in the financial sector, BKL has established a close-knit collaboration system among specialists from various fields including legislative and administrative support, tax and accounting, fair trade, labor and fintech.

Swift Response to Regulations in New Area

Recently, financial institutions have been expanding their operations into various areas beyond their own traditional financial businesses such as the expansion of digital finance and entry into overseas markets. In lockstep with this trend, BKL has launched its Future Finance Strategy Center to cover digital finance area, thereby actively engaging in new areas such as innovative finance, digital currency, virtual assets, IT security issues and AI compliance. Besides, BKL provides tailored legal advisory services to financial institutions on their overseas expansion in collaboration with local law firms.

Differentiated Services through Ongoing Response Team

BKL has launched a dedicated team to meet the urgent needs of financial institution clients at all times, thereby providing various legal advisory services through the collaboration of multiple experts. BKL’s differentiated client-oriented services in the financial advisory landscape have continuously proven to be successful in providing sophisticated and creative solutions as well as in disputes including litigations involving financial institutions, sanctions resulting from the non-compliance with the regulatory requirements, and legislation for improvement of financial regulations.
 

BKL’s Financial Regulation Group and our financial regulation experts deliver tailored regulatory legal services through matrix teams designed for specific industries and institutions. With extensive experience and in-depth expertise, we offer effective and prompt solutions to both general regulatory matters and increasingly complex matters.
 

Unrivalled experience and expertise

BKL’s Financial Regulation Group is distinguished by its extensive experience and unmatched expertise across a broad spectrum of services. We provide comprehensive advice on financial regulations, guide clients through the process of obtaining financial licenses, and assist with regulatory compliance. Our team also supports regulatory improvements and legislative initiatives, represents clients during financial supervisory inspections, and provide defense against sanctions and investigations into unfair trading practices. Additionally, we are at the forefront of emerging regulatory fields including digital finance, virtual currencies, electronic finance, and FinTech.

Experienced and insightful key experts

Our team includes attorneys and professionals with diverse backgrounds, including ex-officials from the Financial Services Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, Bank of Korea, Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Korea Exchange. For each client matter, we assemble a dedicated team, carefully matrixed to form a group that can address the specific issue, ensuring seamless collaboration and results.

Trusted law firm in financial regulation

BKL is recognized as the most trusted and reliable law firm in the financial regulation area by the industry professionals. BKL has been consistently highly rated by international legal publications, including Chambers, IFLR, Legal 500, and ALB.
 

BKL’s Government Relations Group  is dedicated to making Korea  a favorable environment for business by addressing and improving unreasonable regulations and systems that  hinder business activities. In particular, we are actively playing a role in supporting new industries and startups facing regulatory challenges, helping them overcome barriers and achieve sustainable growth.

Our mission is to amplify the voices of businesses in critical policy and legislative processes, while delivering  comprehensive and strategic solutions to improve unreasonable laws and systems.  

To meet the unique needs of our clients. BKL has formed a team of experts with extensive practical and policy experience across various government authorities, including the central government, the National Assembly, and local governments,  enabling us to provide customized services tailored to each client’s objectives.. 

Resolution of Issues through Administrative Procedures 

BKL addresses business challenges stemming from unreasonable policies or regulations through administrative procedures. Depending on  the specifics of each case, we comprehensively consider a range of alternatives such as authoritative interpretation of statutes, requests for audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection, petitions for regulatory reform, and regulatory sandboxes.  We evaluate these options comprehensively to recommend and implement the most effective solutions.

Resolution of Issues through Legislation

When administrative procedures are insufficient to resolve an issue, we also provide solutions  that address the root cause by amending the underlying laws and regulations. In addition to proposing and supporting the enactment or amendment o of laws in the National Assembly as well as subordinate laws (such as presidential decrees and ministerial decrees), we also support the passage of laws and regulations by persuading the National Assembly, the government, and stakeholders. We also assist in related tasks such as responding to  state audits conducted by the National Assembly.
 

BKL’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Group offers a full spectrum of legal services to both international and domestic clients across the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries. With a multidisciplinary team of experts, BKL specializes in key sectors including medical service, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, animal drugs, food and cosmetics.  Our team provides strategic guidance in areas such as regulations, patents and licensing, litigation, government investigations, fair trade, M&A and initial public offerings (IPO). 

BKL has a distinguished track record in addressing complex  regulatory and compliance issues.  Our services include obtaining product approvals, navigating Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) surveillance, handling violations of the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising, advising on relevant regulations including inclusion on the National Health Insurance benefit list.  We have also achieved landmark victories in litigation involving  government administrative actions such as sales suspension, drug price reductions, and impurity-related disputes. 

As the healthcare sector evolves into a next-generation industrial driving force, BKL continues to pioneer innovative solutions to support its growth and globalization. Our expertise extends beyond traditional legal services, providing tailored advice on M&A, IPO, overseas expansion, technology licensing, and new business model designs for pharmaceutical and medical device companies and healthcare institutions. In today’s rapidly advancing technological landscape, BKL is at the forefront of addressing emerging challenges and opportunities. We deliver cutting-edge legal and strategic support in areas relating to medical records, use of big data, use of AI and cutting-edge technology, telemedicine, and new drug development. 

BKL opened our office in Hong Kong in 2015 as part of our strategic international growth plan and expansion of services to our clients based in Hong Kong’s global financial hub. We operate in Hong Kong as a registered foreign law firm to provide the full range of Korean law advice and draw on our extensive network and long-standing relationships with international and Hong Kong law firms to cooperate on multi-disciplinary and large scale cross-border work.

Our lawyers in Hong Kong work closely with, and tap into the wide resources of, our office in Korea to advise international clients on inbound matters that involve managing their Korean operations, including complex regulatory issues, high-stakes investigations and dispute resolution, and investing in Korean markets and businesses. Our Hong Kong office also serves as an access point to Hong Kong's financial markets for leading Korean financial institutions and corporations on outbound matters such as their overseas direct investments and M&A transactions, financing transactions and ventures into new markets as well as international arbitration cases.  We also actively advise our Korean clients that use Hong Kong as a gateway for their investments in China and our Chinese clients that invest and conduct their business in Korea via Hong Kong.

We believe our Hong Kong presence is a decisive plus. These days it is simpler than ever to handle work long distance, but, in terms of actively supporting our clients and outreach, it is vital to be in Hong Kong in person.

BKL draws on its extensive experience and expertise in the full spectrum of the insurance industry to provide comprehensive and integrated solutions for various needs related to the insurance industry, including advisory services for insurance disputes and regulations, approvals and licenses for insurers and underwriting, and response to inspections and investigations from financial supervisory authorities.

One-stop integrated services across the insurance industry

BKL provides effective legal services enabled by seamless cooperation between professionals well versed in their practice and high-caliber attorneys with long years of extensive experience in the field of insurance, including insurance regulations, plans, channels, personal (credit) information, accounting, actuarial science, and risk.

BKL leverages its insurance capabilities to provide prompt and comprehensive legal services that cater to the needs of its clients across the full spectrum of insurance including conventional litigation and advisory services for insurance, as well as approvals and licenses, M&As, regulations, and response to inspections and investigations from supervisory authorities. Our clients include major Korean insurers and reinsurers, as well as related organizations such as insurance associations and the Korea Insurance Development Institute and prestigious foreign insurers.

BKL provides research and policy advisory services for insurance-related organizations. In addition to advising private insurance businesses, BKL’s expertise extends to trade insurance provided by Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, Korea Post’s postal savings insurance and other mutual-aid projects.
 

BKL’s IP Practice Group is well-equipped to serve our clients to their satisfaction by prioritizing the client’s business interests, innovation, growth and success. Drawing upon our extensive experience in protection of intellectual property rights, we provide creative and effective solutions to meet the needs of our clients that are unparalleled in quality.

Trusted Partner for IP Protection and Monetization

In the age of digital information, a company’s business data, knowledge, technology and content are the company’s key proprietary assets and important sources of new revenue. In today’s highly competitive business world, the success of a business depends on the ability to maximize the monetization of such IP assets, and disputes abound both within and outside Korea involving various cutting-edge technologies that are subject to multiple layers of regulatory environment.

BKL’s advice is based on our in-depth understanding of the client’s business and IP assets, including such assets’ economic and social impact, and we strive to provide creative and innovative solutions for our clients while setting new legal precedents along the way. We take great pride in being an integral part of our clients’ future business success.

One-Stop Legal Service

BKL provides a fully integrated, one-stop legal service on all aspects of intellectual property, including patent and trademark prosecution, copyright, trade secrets, data protection and privacy, and enforcement and transactions involving intellectual property. In today’s highly competitive technology environment, we provide strategic advice to ensure timely and proactive procurement and protection of the client’s IP assets.

Customized Legal Service based on Unparalleled Experience and Seamless Integration of Expertise

BKL’s IP Practice Group is comprised of experts with various legal and technical backgrounds, including attorneys-at-law, foreign-qualified attorneys, patent and trademark prosecution attorneys, of counsel consultants, and ex-regulatory officers, allowing us to call upon a specialized team of experts for any matter we handle. Our access to such a wide range of IP expertise enables us to provide a seamlessly integrated expertise-based legal advice, as evidenced by our unparalleled experience in handling IP matters, including administrative trial cases before KIPO’s Intellectual Property Tribunal and the Patent Court, as well as complex IP infringement litigations and our advice on IP transactions and licensing. We have been recognized for our expertise by the leading practice publications such as Chambers & Partners, Managing Intellectual Property, and Asian Legal Business.

BKL was the first law firm in Korea with a fully dedicated, specialist international arbitration practice since 2002.  Now combining a globally recognized international arbitration team with our leading cross-border litigation specialists, BKL has formed a preeminent disputes practice group deeply focused on resolving some of the most complex and cutting-edge issues faced by our clients, regardless of forum, seat of arbitration, and governing law. 

Ranked every year as one of the top global arbitration practices, our arbitration team has represented hundreds of clients engaged in a range of industries in disputes across all major continents, including Asia, Europe and North America.  In addition to our broad commercial disputes practice, we differentiate ourselves in the market with specialisms in industry-focused dispute practices in construction, energy and technology.  We also handle some of the most significant investor-state disputes, having led the first ever investor-state dispute in Korea in 2012. Recognized as a “pioneer in arbitration in Asia” by Who’s Who Legal, the arbitration team continues to lead the market.

Consistent with our cross-border disputes strategy, BKL has established a team of top litigators in Korea with extensive experience in in-bound and out-bound litigation. Our litigators are former members of the Korean judiciary, former US judicial clerks and lawyers trained in a wide range of legal systems, and they bring together the depth of experience unparalleled by our peers in and outside the courtroom that our clients regularly demand and depend on as they face new challenges in both established and frontier markets across multiple jurisdictions.
When it comes to contentious matters, our bottomline is simple—we are relentless about winning for our clients.

BKL’s Japan Practice Group consists of Japanese-speaking professionals who are experienced in a wide range of legal matters such as corporate, HR and labor, fair trade, intellectual property and tax. Its members understand Japan’s cultural nuances with their experience of living in Japan, studying at Japanese universities or working at prestigious Japanese law firms.

Capacity to advise in Japanese with cultural understanding

BKL’s attorneys, patent attorneys and accountants have acquired Japanese fluency and cultural understanding from their experience of studying at Japanese universities or training at Japanese law firms, patent firms or accounting firms. Having operated a Tokyo office for 5 years from 2002 to 2007, we have exceptional insight in how to help our clients navigate through the cultural intricacies involved with cross-border transactions.

Long-standing experience of advising Korean and Japanese companies and close cooperation with other practice groups

BKL’s Japan Practice Group seamlessly coordinates with BKL’s other practice groups to provide one-stop legal services for Japanese firms doing business in Korea or with Korean businesses.  BKL’s comprehensive Korean law advice extends from inbound investment from Japan to Korea to the ongoing relationships and joint ventures between Japanese and Korean businesses, as well as a diverse range of legal matters of all other kinds, including provisional attachment and preliminary injunction for recovery of claims, civil lawsuits and compulsory enforcement, introduction of technologies, establishment, dissolution and liquidation of subsidiaries, M&A, fair trade and international tax. The Japan Practice Group also cooperates with BKL’s in-house patent firm to assist Japanese clients with preparing and filing applications for registration of intellectual property rights (such as patents and trademarks), infringement litigation and license acquisition. 

The professionals in our Japan Practice Group have also been a trusted legal source for Japanese companies’ subsidiaries in Korea on matters such as general corporate, HR and labor, compliance, fair trade, tax, real property and visa applications for such subsidiaries’ resident employees. 

Broad network with highly reputable Japanese law firms

The Japan Practice Group has developed close relationships with small- to large-sized Japanese law firms in order to provide quality legal services in a cost-efficient manner, especially for high-profile litigations and arbitrations that are held in Japan. Depending on the individual client’s needs, we have also acted as the control tower of local law firms in many cross-border transactions involving Japan and Korea. 

BKL’s Labor and Employment Group (the “Group”) provides optimal solutions that meet client needs, leveraging its extensive experience and expertise in the practice area. The Group’s professionalism and capabilities are widely recognized by both domestic and international corporate clients, as evidenced by numerous awards from prestigious legal publications and high client satisfaction ratings.

Comprehensive Legal Services in Litigation, Advisory and Regulatory Areas

The Group is composed of a diverse team, including attorneys with substantial experience in labor cases as former court judges, attorneys and certified labor consultants with a variety of hands-on experience in corporate labor matters, as well as former Ministry of Employment and Labor officials. It also includes both Korean and foreign-qualified attorneys, enabling the Group to effectively provide legal services to foreign corporate clients, with the capability of comprehensive legal services across a wide range of labor issues.

Proven Track Record and Outstanding Client Feedback

The Group has a distinguished history of successfully representing major domestic and multinational corporations in numerous cases, achieving favorable outcomes in numerous cases, including significant Supreme Court hearings with far-reaching social implications. The Group also has extensive experience in various labor and employment practice areas such as corporate restructuring, collective bargaining and workplace harassment.  Additionally, it has a strong track record in handling regulatory matters including dealing with labor inspections by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and criminal labor cases involving the violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
 

BKL’s Latin America Task Force Team is composed of attorneys with vast experience, cultural and legal knowledge, as well as key local contacts and native fluency in Spanish and Portuguese that no other law firm in Korea can offer. 

Our Latin America TFT attorneys have ample expertise stemming from a diverse range of projects in the region including construction, joint-ventures, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution (arbitration/litigation), and tax and other regulatory matters. In addition, our key attorneys have lived in Latin America and worked at top law firms in Brazil and Mexico, thus also being able to provide valuable and difference-making advice and important cultural insights.  

We have close relationships with top law firms throughout Latin America. Moreover, BKL is a member of World Law Group (an invitation-only global network of top independent full-service law firms established in 1988), and we have collaborated with leading firms in Latin America in the past on several landmark projects.

For each project, our Latin America TFT collaborates closely with BKL’s other practice groups in order to provide high-quality and comprehensive advice to our clients in a variety of transactions in the region ranging from general corporate advice and contract review to complex investment structuring and project finance operations. Our clients include public and private companies, private equity firms and financial sponsors, investment banks, government entities, as well as other institutions and individuals. 

Recognized as a leading firm in litigation, we provide superior legal representation in domestic litigation. We resolve complicated and demanding dispute matters efficiently, leveraging our resources and unmatched expertise and experience in litigation, across a wide range of areas, including civil, criminal, construction & real estate, securities & finance, insurance & maritime, corporate & M&A, constitutional & administrative, product liability & consumer claims, HR & employment and private clients & estate.

We assemble the best team of attorneys based on the specific issues and relevant industries of each case in order to achieve the best outcome for the client. Notably, we have a litigation support team for a large-scale and complex case, including former Supreme Court justices and chief judges, and the litigation support team provides guidance at all stages of the litigation process. We strive to fully utilize our vast pool of resources for each client to ensure a favorable outcome in dispute matters.

Based on its expansive practical experience and expertise,   Bae, Kim & Lee, LLC (“BKL”) effectively provides integrated and customized solutions for all issues arising in the shipping and transportation practice including execution and management of various contracts, advising on ship financing deals, handling various maritime and transportation disputes and accidents and responding to regulations and policies for all clients involved in the shipping and transportation business, including shipowners, cargo owners, P&I Clubs, shipyards, logistics companies, marine/cargo insurers and reinsurers and financial institutions. 

BKL has professionals with excellent expertise based on a comprehensive understanding of the maritime and transportation industry and a wealth of experience in the maritime and transportation field including its closely related fields such as insurance and international transactions. BKL’s professionals closely collaborate tailored to each situation to provide accurate and efficient legal services to meet to the needs of clients. 

In addition to traditional areas such as management of transportation contracts, charterparties and bills of lading resolution of various disputes arising thereunder and handling of maritime accidents involving ships, offshore structures, and port facilities, BKL handles a variety of litigations and arbitrations on the substantive proceedings as well as taking preservative and enforcement measures and responds to regulations and policies regarding the maritime and transportation industries. Further, BKL acts for domestic and international banks, shipbuilders, and shipping companies on shipbuilding (sale and purchase) contracts and ship financing on not only transactional matters but also from the litigation side.  BKL also advises on trade issues and documentary credits used in trade.

In addition, maritime cases usually require resolution through international litigation (arbitration) due to its international nature, which often involve complex governing law and international jurisdiction issues, or are sometimes subject to short-term statute of limitation periods. In such cases, it is crucial to establish prompt and appropriate strategy at the initial stage of the case. BKL’s experts are highly experienced in these kinds of international cases and dispute resolutions, and delivers the best service based on our long-standing relationships with world’s leading experts in relevant fields.

BKL is a leading law firm in Korea for corporate and M&A transactions. We have represented clients in matters ranging from landmark M&A deals to investments in middle market business enterprises and startup companies. With our broad understanding of corporate transactions and extensive experience covering a range of industries and sectors, we are able to provide carefully tailored legal services and advice to each client and deliver high-quality and business-focused advice.

We have handled a wide range of transactions including mergers and acquisitions, investments, business transfers, divestures and spin-offs, and have extensive experience in all types of inbound/outbound transactions. We advise clients from the beginning of a transaction to the closing and post-closing integration of the transaction by guiding them through various issues, including regulatory matters, labor and employment matters, fair trade and tax.

We draw upon attorneys from different industry practice groups, including finance, energy, environmental, pharmaceutical, medical, IT and media, to effectively serve the clients who are situated in, or are looking to make investments in, the relevant industries. We have one of the most experienced teams of transactional lawyers among Korea’s top law firms who are geared to provide individualized services to clients and can advise and structure transactions in the most efficient and effective manner.

Our M&A Group ranks Tier 1 on Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Asia Legal Business and has been recognized by clients across industries for having the expertise and ability to assist the clients in complex transactions seamlessly and efficiently.

With the opening of the Dubai office in 2015, BKL became the first Korean law firm to establish a permanent presence in the Middle East. Since then, we have expanded our area of practices to North Africa and other parts of Africa, transforming into a Korea Desk to continue our vibrant practices. Our Middle East & Africa Practice Group and Korea Desk provide high-quality legal services to Korean companies operating in the region, leveraging our extensive experience and deep understanding of local practices. Particularly in regions like the Middle East and Africa, where access to information and project sites is limited, we offer precise and practical advice that reflects the rapidly changing local systems and circumstances, earning high praise from our clients.

BKL’s Middle East & Africa Practice Group is comprised of experts with extensive local experience and expertise in various fields, including professionals with on-site experience in the region handling multiple advisory and dispute cases for large Korean construction companies in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Our Middle East & Africa Practice Group also has extensive experience in all aspects of corporate legal matters involving the Middle East and Africa, including cross-border M&As and construction/energy projects. As a pioneer of the region, we have also successfully advised clients in their entry into countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Oman and Turkey, where the local laws, systems and customs are not always familiar.

BKL’s North Korea Practice Group (the “Group”) provides specialized legal advisory services on not only   unification and inter-Korean relations at the level of policy and legal analysis but also the promotion of large-scale inter-Korean economic cooperation projects, individual Korean companies’ joint management and joint ventures with their North Korean counterparts, independent investment projects, inter-Korean trade, inter-Korean toll manufacturing businesses, inter-Korean tourism and cultural cooperation projects, inter-Korean economic cooperation insurance, and sanctions against North Korea. The Group has built up a strong track record in providing advisory and research services to clients within and outside Korea for over 20 years since it was launched for the first time among Korean law firms. The Group, led by Wook Yoo, widely recognized for his expertise in North Korean laws and regulations and Yongman Bae who has been advising on inter-Korean relations for over 15 years provides comprehensive legal advisory services on North Korean law as well as the practice and policies of the Korean government.

Advisory Services on Unification Issues and Laws on Inter-Korean Relations

The Group advises the Korean government, public and private institutions, interest groups and individuals on the laws and regulations governing inter-Korean relations and unification issues, spanning the Constitution, the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act, the North Korean Human Rights Act, the North Korean Refugees Protection and Settlement Support Act, and the National Security Act. Further, the Group also provides specialized research and legal advisory services with respect to the consolidation of inter-Korean laws and regulations in furtherance of closer inter-Korean relations.

Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects for Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation to Realize New Economic Map Initiative

In order to facilitate and promote large-scale infrastructure projects as part of inter-Korean economic cooperation, it is essential to ensure that both South and North Koreas implement a robust legal infrastructure, establish joint management agencies or jointly managed companies, create large-scale special economic zones, and modernize railway and road systems connecting the two Koreas. The Group has a strong track record of advising the Korean government and private businesses in connection with the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and tourism projects at Mount Kumgang. While the new economic map of the Korean Peninsula poses new challenges, such as the creation of inter-Korean special economic zones, the formation of special tourist zones, the connection of railroads and roads, and the cooperation between ports, the Group experts are committed to providing legal advisory services to the Korean government, public institutions and enterprises to tackle such challenges. 

Business Projects in North Korea such as the Establishment of Joint Management Agencies or Jointly Managed Companies with North Korean Entities and Independent Investment in North Korea

Inter-Korean economic cooperation projects by way of establishing joint management or joint ventures with a North Korean entity, and making independent investment in North Korea or establishing an entity in any form in North Korea require compliance with the laws and regulations of both South and North Koreas governing incorporation procedures. In addition, even after the incorporation of legal entities, legal analysis is required in connection with the composition and operation of the board of directors, the repatriation of operating profits from the North to the South, and tax issues. The Group provides specialized legal advisory services to domestic and foreign entities which are investing or plan to invest in North Korea in such forms as a joint management or joint venture with a North Korean entity or independent investment in North Korea.

Private Inter-Korean Cooperation Projects such as Inter-Korean Trade, Inter-Korean Toll Manufacturing Businesses, Inter-Korean Tourism and Cultural Cooperation Projects

With respect to private inter-Korean cooperation projects which are pursued and promoted in various fields under the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act and the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement, the Group provides comprehensive legal advisory services throughout the entire business process ranging from project planning stages to negotiations with North Korean authorities, the acquisition of government approvals and permission and the completion of the projects. 

Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Insurance and Sanctions against North Korea

The Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund Act established the inter-Korean economic cooperation insurance system as a safety valve in inter-Korean economic cooperation. Enterprises and individuals that intend to pursue inter-Korean economic cooperation projects even under circumstances where the UN and individual countries maintain their sanctions against North Korea must closely look into whether their planned projects and the North Korean counterparts are subject to such sanctions. The Group provides in-depth legal advisory services on various issues arising out of the inter-Korean economic cooperation insurance and sanctions against North Korea.
 

BKL’s Real Estate Practice Group boasts a rich pool of professionals who have accumulated extensive experience in the real estate field and provide specialized advice across the full spectrum of real estate advisory services, including domestic and cross-border real estate transactions and development projects; real estate collective investment schemes such as REITs, REFs, PFVs, and trusts; offshore real estate investments in North America, Europe, and Asia; and related fields such as project financing and joint venture work.

Industry-leading experience in cross-border real estate transactions, investment and development projects

BKL has an extensive history of providing leading services on inbound and outbound transactions (sales and acquisitions), investments and development projects, covering commercial and residential developments, including offices, retail facilities, hotels/resorts, theme parks, logistics facilities, data centers, senior housing and rental housing.  Our professionals offer tailored, in-depth advice to clients in all areas of the real estate industry, with unrivalled representative experience in high-profile cross-border development projects – for example, the development of the Songdo International Business District in the Incheon Free Economic Zone (Gale Company and POSCO E&C), a new city in Bismayah, Iraq (Hanhwa E&C), and a new city in South Saad Al Abdullah, Kuwait (Korea Land and Housing Corporation).

Outstanding expertise and experience in real estate collective investment schemes such as REITs, REFs, PFVs, and land trusts

BKL has worked extensively with REITs since the enactment of the Real Estate Investment Company Act in 2001 and possesses unsurpassed experience in REITs. In particular, in a string of successful projects involving the public offering and listing of REITs since 2018, BKL has the most extensive experience and expertise in the field. With regards to real estate collective investment schemes, BKL offers comprehensive advisory services that encompass the establishment and operation of real estate funds and REITs, the acquisition of requisite approvals and licenses and compliance with asset management and financial regulations. We also have a strong track record of advising clients on real estate development projects that leverage PFVs or management-type and loan-type land trusts.

A robust collaborative system with other practice groups

An effective real estate practice involves a complex nexus of advanced investment techniques, a variety of investment vehicles with differing structures and tax treatments, and complicated processes for approvals and licenses, the navigation of which requires specialized and multi-faceted advisory services from antitrust, tax, construction, regulatory, finance, and other perspectives. The BKL Real Estate Practice Group has established a robust collaborative system with other practice groups that can only be delivered by a leading full-service law firm, which allows prompt and efficient cooperation with professionals in the relevant fields to provide clients with in-depth advisory services.

BKL’s Regulatory & Compliance Group provides optimal solutions not only for the challenges clients currently face but also for potential risks, leveraging extensive advisory experiences and advanced expertise in compliance matters. Our team, composed of professionals with deep legal knowledge, diverse industry experience, and excellent communication skills, has been recognized for its global competitiveness through awards from prestigious legal media and outstanding client satisfaction, both domestically and internationally.

Compliance as a Core Value for Risk Management

Establishing a robust compliance system is no longer optional but essential for sustainable business operations. In today’s corporate landscape, "compliance management" is emphasized as a core value. Companies that fail to prevent and manage misconduct by their officers and employees face significant risks—not only legal liabilities but also reputational damage and loss of social trust. In particular, the growing obligations imposed on CEOs and directors to monitor and prevent employees' unlawful conduct increase their exposure to liability risks. This heightened accountability makes the implementation of an effective compliance system a crucial element of corporate governance. BKL’s Regulatory & Compliance Group draws on its extensive advisory experience in advising large enterprises, public institutions, and multinational corporations building and operating compliance systems to deliver tailored solutions for building and maintaining compliance systems.

Tailored Advisory Services Backed by Expertise and Seamless Collaboration

BKL’s Regulatory & Compliance Group has a proven track record of helping clients identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks through comprehensive compliance advisory services. Our team works closely with specialized departments across diverse legal fields, including anti-trust, domestic disputes, corporate legal affairs, financial regulations, labor and human resource management, industrial safety and major accidents, information protection and personal data, taxation, healthcare, and criminal and environmental regulations. In addition, we collaborate with regional specialists in key international markets , including China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Germany, to deliver timely and practical solutions for clients with global operations. Our advisory approach is built on decades of experience and a collaborative system known as the "One BKL" spirit, ensuring that we provide the highest standard of service to clients.

BKL’s Southeast Asia Practice Group (the “Group”) has been providing in-depth advisory services in the Southeast Asian business areas based on its unrivaled experience and expertise. In particular, based on its excellent work capability and a wealth of know-how in the field of M&A deals and foreign investment in Southeast Asia, the Group’s Vietnam Team has advised on the deals selected as the Deal of the Year at the Vietnam M&A Forum for 6 consecutive years and also has officially been recognized as the Best M&A Advisor for 3 consecutive years.

Exclusive Experience and Global Network in Businesses in Southeast Asia 

The Group is comprised of experts with over 15 years of work experience in Southeast Asia who possess extensive knowledge and know-how on the culture and enterprises of Southeast Asian countries. BKL opened its offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2015, and in Singapore in 2021 in order to support its clients’ needs for legal services in Southeast Asia. Further, since 2018, BKL has been operating a Korea desk in association with Makarim & Taira S., a top tier law firm in Indonesia, at which its seconded attorneys serve as a forward base for Korean companies. In addition, the Group strives to navigate and build up cooperative relationships with major local firms in other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, thereby allowing it to provide wide-ranging legal services across the entire region.

Extensive Know-How and Expertise

Drawing on a wealth of its experience and expertise in various practice areas such as general corporate matters, M&As, investment/permits and licenses, construction/real estate, SOC projects and disputes, the Group provides accurate analysis of legal risks which might arise out of individual projects and further provides the best solutions for the benefit of its clients. The Group has successfully advised on numerous major projects and transactions across the Southeast Asian region including, among other things, Hana Bank’s strategic investment in BIDV, one of the top listed banks in Vietnam, LG Display’s establishment of OLED display module production plants and investment in Vietnam, KT’s acquisition of information and technology company in Singapore, KB Bank’s acquisition of Prasac Microfinance Institution in Cambodia.

Differentiated Services through an Organic Cooperation System with the Seoul Office

The Group provides integrated legal advisory services by bringing together experts from Seoul offices in various areas such as corporate law, finance, construction/real estate, tax, labor, fair trade, intellectual property and international arbitration, who collaborate closely with each other and take into a comprehensive account the specific nature and issues of each case. Further, the Group strives to provide client-oriented legal advisory services through Korean attorneys stationed in Southeast Asia offices who respond to clients’ needs in a swift and efficient manner.
 

Our Tax Group provides our clients with comprehensive and diverse legal services ranging from tax advice on a discreet matter to representation in tax litigations, relating to different tax issues that our clients face in the course of conducting their business activities, including M&A and other corporate restructuring, investment projects, trades and transactions, asset transfers and capital transactions, and other tax issues such as inheritance planning and gift transfers.

In order to provide our clients with effective and efficient solutions to different tax issues, our Tax Group consists of a team of attorneys with extensive experience in tax law, certified tax accountants having accumulated hands-on experience at the National Tax Service and other governmental agencies, and certified public accountants with in-depth experience in providing tax advice. Our Tax Group has experience in advising clients on tax-efficient strategies and successfully representing clients in various appeals proceedings, including litigation at the Tax Tribunal. Our Tax Group also works closely with the attorneys and professionals in other practice groups to provide comprehensive solutions on general tax, international tax, and transfer pricing matters.

BKL’s Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT) Group, formed in 1988, was the first Korean law firm team to focus on telecom infrastructure, information technology and broadcast regulation. Over the past 30 years, our practice has expanded rapidly with the proliferation of laws governing information flows in Korea, making it a highly regulated jurisdiction in this regard. Throughout, BKL has been at the leading edge of Korean legal services, in every relevant area of industry, financial and data privacy regulation.

TMT Group specializes in telecom, online services and media, with focal areas including connectivity rules and data security. It also offers comprehensive regulatory advice in areas of new technology, such as mobility, blockchain, and AI. With our dedicated team of former government and industry professionals, we have unsurpassed expertise in regulatory know-how. Commonly, telecom and broadcast enterprises, as well as online and smartphone based services, must navigate significant license or registration requirements in Korea. Key agencies include the Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea Communications Commission (KCC), Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), and Financial Services Commission (FSC). In testament to BKL’s standards, we are often consulted by the regulators themselves for policy comment and issues of first impression. BKL has guided hundreds of clients through the requisites – often including technical and organizational standards – of the regulatory process.

We serve a wide spectrum of Korean and foreign-headquartered businesses, ranging from multinationals and local market leaders – major telecoms, broadcasters, financial institutions, online/app service providers – to mid-size innovators and fast-growing startups. TMT Group delivers, and our expertise builds on, intensive regulatory and transactional advice for a large cross-section of the media, online and app-driven space in Korea.

Technology

Our technology work serves many of the most innovative device makers and service providers in the world. For regulatory advice and transactional guidance, as well as top-tier litigation support, TMT Group has represented major smartphone and wireless appliance makers, as well as developers of leading edge technology such as 5G, “connected cars,” Big Data, FinTech, blockchain, software and open source, AI and robots, virtual reality, mobility and so on. We have extensive experience assisting financial institutions and online and app service providers on issues ranging from facility and data security, to user terms and business partner contracts. In recent years, members of TMT Group have been active in crisis management as well, advising online service clients in response to major data breach incidents and investigations.

Media

BKL’s track record in broadcast media is unsurpassed. TMT Group has been advisor to a “Big 3” TV broadcast network in Korea for over 20 years, and has assisted many broadcast companies and multiple system operators, in operating within the extensive range of regulation in this sector. Inter-system conflicts (among terrestrial, cable, satellite, IPTV), including those with and among new hybrid areas including OTT services, and broadcast and retransmission constraints, frequently give rise to issues tackled by our group. In particular, with regard to new media services, we offer support to our clients in legislative process participation and complicated regulatory compliance. With a robust understanding of the business environment and commercial norms, we have also handled a large volume of transactional work in this sector, ranging from negotiation of inter-operator fees to joint ventures for news, sports, entertainment and home-shopping channels. TMT Group offers comprehensive expertise across the range of transactional tasks, including without limitation program licensing, channel distribution, advertising sale, and has assisted clients coordinate outbound broadcast-sector investments in the Asia region, including China. 

Telecommunication

TMT Group is expert in every aspect of telecom regulations in Korea, having long advised all of the “Big 3” telecom infrastructure companies, together with many telecom-based service providers. We have handled a wide span of issues arising in the regulatory framework, including operating and investment restrictions, licensing hurdles and user protection rules, under the Telecommunications Business Act, Telecom Networks Act and related regulations. In addition to traditional telecom issues such as spectrum allocation and facility compliance, in recent years the focal areas of our practice have included the expansion in LTE service, 5G service, data center installation and transfer, cloud computing, subsea cable investment, and other frontier infrastructure projects. In the transactional sphere, BKL is widely recognized for its leading part in telecom sector M&A deal work over the past 20 years.