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 along with more than 30 lawyers located throughout the Firm's global network in New York, London, the Middle East, Australia and other important hubs—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 and shipping & off-shore maritime 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
Ranked as a leading firm in Corporate and M&A, International Arbitration and Projects & Energy in South Korea
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2021
Ranked as a leading firm in Corporate / M&A, Dispute Resolution and Projects & Infrastructure in South Korea
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2021
Best of the Frontier Markets—KB Kookmin's KRW 734 billion (US$632 million) acquisition of PRASAC Microfinance
FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2020
"M&A Deal of the Year"—Business Integration of Z Holdings and LINE
ALB Korea Law Awards 2020
Tier 1—Corporate and M&A in South Korea
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2019
Best in Construction Law—Korea
Global Business Insight Awards 2018
Selected as one of the Top 10 Most Preferred Foreign Law Firms by in-house counsel based in Korea
Legal Times 2016-2018
Experience
Carlyle Group
Representation of The Carlyle Group on its KRW 240 billion (approx. US$200 million) strategic investment and partnership between Carlyle Asia Partners V and KB Financial Group Inc., Korea's largest bank.
Green Cross Holdings
Representation of Green Cross Holdings in relation to Artiva Biotherapeutics' US$78 million Series A financing from 5AM Ventures, venBio Partners and RA Capital Management.
Data center
Representation of a confidential client on the financing of the development, construction and operation of a data center in Korea.
SK Networks
Representation of SK Networks Co., Ltd., in connection with its investment in a US$60 million Series B financing by Chai Pay Holding Company Pte. Ltd., one of the leading payment technology companies in Korea.
US wind projects acquisition
Representation of a consortium of Korean investors in connection with an acquisition of a 49.9 percent cash equity interest in a portfolio of four wind projects in the US totaling 852 MW, located in Texas, Illinois and Nebraska. The consortium consists of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Alpha Asset Management, Sprott Korea Investment, Hana Financial Investment and Korea Investment & Securities.
Mangilao solar project
Representation of Korea Development Bank and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as lead arrangers and lenders on the US$184 million financing for the development, construction, operation and maintenance of the Mangilao Solar Project, a 60 MW AC solar photovoltaic power plant with a 32 MW/32 MWh energy storage system, located in the US territory of Guam. The project is being developed by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).
Jeonnam 1 offshore wind project
Representation of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) on the establishment of a joint venture with SK E&S Co., Ltd. to develop the 96 MW Jeonnam offshore wind project in Sinan County in Jeonnam Province, South Korea.
UzGTL
Representation of nine ECA/IFI lenders, including Korean lenders, as well as commercial and Islamic banks, in connection with the groundbreaking 38,000-ton-per-day diesel and naphtha GTL project in Uzbekistan for the domestic and international markets.
Refinery and petrochemical plant
Representing an 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.
LNG pricing arbitration
Representation of an Asian energy company in an UNCITRAL LNG pricing arbitration.
FSRU financing
Representation of the Export-Import Bank of Korea in the acquisition financing of an FSRU by a Turkish gas company supported by a repayment guaranty issued by the Turkish government.
Samsung Electronic's acquisition of Zhilabs
Representation of Samsung Electronics, the world's largest smartphone maker, in its acquisition of Zhilabs, a Spanish network data analysis operator.
