Top 10 Powerful Arbitration Lawyers Dominating South Korea’s Dispute Resolution in 2023

In an increasingly interconnected and international business world, the role of arbitration has become even more vital in resolving both commercial and investment disputes. As a neutral third-party dispute resolution procedure, Arbitration offers companies and investors a credible and legally binding way to settle their disputes, bypassing the need for traditional court proceedings. In South Korea, this industry has seen tremendous growth and development–specifically, in the capital Seoul where some of the country’s most respected law firms and arbitration experts are based. Here we spotlight a few renowned Arbitration lawyers who have made significant contributions to this field.

South Korea’s vibrant legal community is home to world-class lawyers specializing in various areas, including dispute resolution and arbitration. Their expertise is sought not just locally, but globally. These legal visionaries bring diverse perspectives that help shape the arbitration landscape. From assisting global companies navigate complex arbitration proceedings to helping shape international arbitration policies and practices, they have made a significant impact in the field of dispute resolution in South Korea and beyond.

In this article, we showcase the top Arbitration Lawyers in South Korea who are making substantial contributions to this exciting and rapidly evolving field. They have consistently demonstrated their expertise, delivering exceptional results for their clients, while also driving the evolution of arbitration policies and practices.

Kevin (Kap-You) Kim

At Peter & Kim, Kevin Kim has proven to be an expert in his field. Despite the lack of a firm website, his reputation precedes him with significant expertise in handling large ICC and ICSID disputes.

Byung-Woo Im

Kim & Chang‘s Byung-Woo Im has a keen focus on disputes arising in the construction and infrastructure sectors, with extensive experience across a range of Middle Eastern and Asian jurisdictions.

John P Bang

A notable figure at Peter & Kim is John P Bang. A recognized market leader and thought leader in the investment treaty and commercial arbitration spheres, both corporate clients and government agencies highly demand his expertise.

Junu Kim

Based at Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, Junu Kim is particularly known for handling disputes over licenses, other commercial agreements, sponsorship contracts, post M&A issues, and investment treaty arbitrations.

Jinhee Kim

Jinhee Kim from Jipyong LLC, has invaluable experience representing companies from the construction and technology sectors before various arbitral institutions like the ICC, the KCAB, HKIAC, and SIAC.

Myung-Ahn Kim

At Yoon & Yang LLC, Myung-Ahn Kim has been growing her reputation in the arbitration arena. She’s known for representing Korean and international clients in arbitration proceedings before different arbitral institutions, including SIAC, HKIAC, the ICC, and KCAB.

Sean (Sung Woo) Lim

Over at Lee & Ko, Sean Lim co-heads their international arbitration practice and is highly respected for his capabilities in this domain. He mainly deals with investment treaty and cross-border disputes, particularly those arising in the construction, technology, and insurance sectors.

Beomsu Kim

Beomsu Kim of KL Partners, is highly esteemed with a prominent reputation in the market. He has significant experience in investor-state arbitration and is also adept at handling commercial arbitration mandates.

Robert Wachter

Lee & Ko‘s Robert Wachter has a strong market reputation for representing various corporations and public entities in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration. His experience often comes into play in cases concerning shareholder and licensing agreements and product liability issues.

SeungMin Lee

Fellow Peter & Kim lawyer, SeungMin Lee, comes highly recommended by clients for her expertise in the disputes arising in the gaming and entertainment industry. She has notable experience handling commercial litigation on behalf of both Korean and foreign clients.

These esteemed lawyers have shown extraordinary dedication and expertise in the field of arbitration, setting the standard for excellence in this domain. They continue to shape the arbitration landscape in South Korea and beyond, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to facilitating fair, efficient, and effective dispute resolution.