Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Bae Kim & Lee has closed quite a few M&A deals this year in the IT, telecommunications and media space. The firm added adviser Jae Min Shin from the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism but unfortunately lost partner Jung Hwan Bae, who moved to an in-house ... [more]

Bae Kim & Lee has closed quite a few M&A deals this year in the IT, telecommunications and media space. The firm added adviser Jae Min Shin from the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism but unfortunately lost partner Jung Hwan Bae, who moved to an in-house counsel role.

In a highlight deal this year, partners Gun Chul Do, Kwang Hyun Roo and Jun Kul Yoo advised TU Media on a KRW480 billion M&A deal with SK Telelink. Aside from requiring corporate expertise, the deal also necessitated regulatory knowledge.

Partners Yang Ho Oh and Kwang Hyun Roo represented Sejong Telecom on another M&A transaction when it acquired 39.34% of Onse Telecom shares in Onse Telecom from Aldex and Optom Magic, subsidiaries of Taihan Electronic Wire.

[hide]

Kim & Chang boasts an impressive IT, telecommunications and media practice that reportedly has a success rate of almost 100% on disputes.The firm, led by partners SH Han, DS Choi, TE Koo, SB Hong and YK Hwang, represented Nevar.com operator NHN in a ... [more]

Kim & Chang boasts an impressive IT, telecommunications and media practice that reportedly has a success rate of almost 100% on disputes.

The firm, led by partners SH Han, DS Choi, TE Koo, SB Hong and YK Hwang, represented Nevar.com operator NHN in a landmark case regarding web advertising. NHN had brought 11 separate civil and criminal charges against Neoconsoft for advertising interference. Neoconsoft forced users to install a computer programme which, upon installation, would replace all paid banner advertisements on websites like Nevar.com with its own. The software would also alter search results so that paid Neoconsoft websites would always be the first listed.

This case is one of very few instances in which the Supreme Court granted a permanent injunction against a company. Kim & Chang successfully argued that Neoconsoft’s actions could not be redressed by monetary compensation alone, and that these instances would occur more frequently among online businesses unless it was dealt with harshly and immediately.

[hide]

Lee & Ko has enjoyed a stellar year, and was involved on the largest IT, telecommunications and media deals in Korea. Peers and clients alike highly recommend lead partner Hwang Bae Park as a specialist practitioner in this area.In the firm’s most important ... [more]

Lee & Ko has enjoyed a stellar year, and was involved on the largest IT, telecommunications and media deals in Korea. Peers and clients alike highly recommend lead partner Hwang Bae Park as a specialist practitioner in this area.

In the firm’s most important deal this year, Park and partner Yu Jin Kim advised CJ Group and On Media in their merger, which created the largest all-integrated media content company in Korea. The complex and unprecedented M&A deal comprised three Kosdaq-listed companies, one Kospi-listed company and two private companies worth a total of KRW1.1 trillion (US$1.1 billion). The deal required favourable rulings from regulatory bodies, particularly the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).

Park and partner Hwang Kyoung Ko also represented SK M&C, the largest Korea-based marketing service provider, to prove the legality of targeted web advertising to the KCC.

[hide]

Shin & Kim has a strong practice in this area, especially involving M&A transactions. Although the firm’s practice did not grow in headcount this year, its three key partners Seong Hoon Yi, Ju Bong Jang and practice head Sung Guen Kim maintain the firm’s ... [more]

Shin & Kim has a strong practice in this area, especially involving M&A transactions. Although the firm’s practice did not grow in headcount this year, its three key partners Seong Hoon Yi, Ju Bong Jang and practice head Sung Guen Kim maintain the firm’s strong reputation in this sector.

The firm has carved out a niche for itself on location-based services and the potential conflicts with privacy law. Senior foreign legal consultant Roger Chae and partner Jang have represented mobile handset manufacturers Nokia and HTC in obtaining licences for their location-based businesses.

On one large M&A transaction, the aforementioned partners advised SK Telelink in its KRW480 billion merger with TU Media. As TU Media had over 50 shareholders, the merger was done through a public offering and so Korean securities regulations also applied to the deal.

[hide]

Hwang Mok Park retains a presence in this area, with partner and foreign legal counsel Brendon Carr ensuring that the practice remains strong, especially on defamation suits. Carr is a popular choice for multinational corporations, including well respected ... [more]

Hwang Mok Park retains a presence in this area, with partner and foreign legal counsel Brendon Carr ensuring that the practice remains strong, especially on defamation suits. Carr is a popular choice for multinational corporations, including well respected companies such as Apple.

[hide]

This firm is one of the few that has bolstered its practice, hiring a handful of associates this year. Its body of work has also expanded with the practice now representing prestigious clients like Korea Film Production Association, KBS, OBS, Yahoo! ... [more]

This firm is one of the few that has bolstered its practice, hiring a handful of associates this year. Its body of work has also expanded with the practice now representing prestigious clients like Korea Film Production Association, KBS, OBS, Yahoo! Korea and SK Telecom.

In a pending case with potentially enormous consequences, partners Wonil Kim and Jinsu Jeong are representing nationwide linear broadcasting channels KBS, MBC and SBS regarding retransmission of their content. This dispute will answer the question of whether cable companies will be compensated for their retransmitted material.

[hide]

Peers note Yulchon’s close relationship with various regulatory agencies, and the firm acts frequently for the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).The firm also advises corporations on disputes relating to IT, telecommunications and media. For example, ... [more]

Peers note Yulchon’s close relationship with various regulatory agencies, and the firm acts frequently for the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).

The firm also advises corporations on disputes relating to IT, telecommunications and media. For example, partners Yong-Sup Yoon, Kwang-Bin Park, Sae-Youn Kim Kyong-Yeon Kim, Hee-Joong Lee and Seung Jae-Lee advised GS Caltrex on civil and criminal claims brought by 11 million customers after an employee stole personal information with the intention of selling it. The court determined the company was not liable for the theft.

[hide]