Korea
About
Backed by more than four decades' experience advising in Korea related matters, we opened an office in Seoul in 2015 to be close to our clients. Korean entities have relied on us for strategic and commercial solutions to their complex legal issues. Members of our multidisciplinary Korea practice—based in Seoul and located throughout the Firm's global network—are deeply familiar with the needs of Korean clients, and they have strong ties in each of the markets where we practice.
Korea's conglomerates, financial institutions and state-owned enterprises frequently lead or participate in large-scale international projects and investments. Many are global leaders in the construction, energy, infrastructure, electronics, semiconductor, steelmaking, automotive, media and entertainment, technology and pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries, and they turn to White & Case as a trusted advisor when venturing into new markets or deepening their presence in existing ones. Along with being entrusted on major deals and projects, we are called upon by Korean clients to secure their interests in bet-the-company disputes, and high-stakes investigations and trade matters.
In a sign of our commitment to the Korean market, we continually invest to develop foreign-trained Korean-speaking lawyers who can manage the multijurisdictional issues that our clients face.
With our thorough knowledge and international reach, we are fully able to support Korean clients—ensuring quality and consistency across our service offerings—as they pursue opportunities in the global marketplace.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Named "Best Foreign Law Firm in Korea"
Asia Business Law Journal’s Korea Law Firm Awards 2022-2023 & 2023-2024
Ranked as a leading firm in Corporate and M&A, International Arbitration and Projects & Energy in South Korea
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2020-2024
Ranked as a leading firm in Corporate / M&A, Dispute Resolution and Projects & Infrastructure in South Korea
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019-2024
Project Finance Deal of the Year
ALB Korea Law Awards 2021
"M&A Deal of the Year"—Business Integration of Z Holdings and LINE
ALB Korea Law Awards 2020
Experience
US$1.9 billion sale of Medit Corporation
Representation of Jinho Chang and Minho Chang, founders of Medit Corporation, a leading manufacturer of dental scanners, in the sale of their portion of the 99.5% stake in Medit Corporation to MBK Partners for approximately US$1.9 billion (majority stake sold by Unison Capital).
Biologics acquisition in the US
Representation of Lotte Corporation in its US$160 million acquisition of pharmaceutical manufacturing assets in Syracuse, New York, from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and its establishment of Lotte Biologics.
Battery recycling and energy storage solutions acquisitions in the US
Representation of LG Energy Solution in its acquisition of NEC Energy Solutions, an energy storage system integration and solutions company, and, together with LG Chem, investment in Li-Cycle, a Nasdaq-listed lithium battery recycling company.
Equity financing
Representation of Brite Energy Partners in its additional equity financing and further financing commitment in an aggregate amount of more than US$300 million from BlackRock Real Assets.
Latin music business platform and acquisitions in the US
Representation of HYBE Co., Ltd., one of South Korea's largest music label and KRX-listed entertainment, media and technology companies, on establishing its Latin music business platform and US acquisitions of Exile Music and Exile Podcast from media and entertainment company Exile Content.
Bloom Energy acquisition
Representation of SK ecoplant in its K-SURE guaranteed financing for the acquisition of certain shares in Bloom Energy, a NY listed entity.
Jeonnam offshore wind project
Representation of the sponsors in its development and project financing of the 99 MW Jeonnam 1 offshore wind project in Shin-an County in Jeonnam Province. This is the first non-recourse project financed offshore wind farm in South Korea.
Naphtha cracker project
Representation of Lotte Chemical Corporation and PT Lotte Chemical Indonesia in its development and financing of a naphtha cracker project in Banten Province of Indonesia.
Refinery & petrochemical plant
Representation of the Asian EPC Contractor Consortium in a SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore in relation to a US$2 billion dispute arising out of a contract to design, procure and construct a refinery and petrochemical plant in a Southeast Asian country.
Post-M&A SIAC arbitration
Representation of a Korean private equity & venture capital firm in the claims that arose out of breaches of misrepresentations, warranties and covenants by the seller in a PE M&A transaction.
