Kim & Chang’s market leading team has ‘very strong knowledge and expertise across the full range of tax and customs matters’, with unparalleled experience in both transactions and litigation. Jointly led by Woo Hyun Baik and Byung-Moon Jung, the team advises on international corporate tax planning, M&A, financial derivatives, and contract negotiations. Certified public accountant Tae-Yeon Nam focuses on international taxation, in addition to representing clients in tax audits and disputes, while Hae Ma Joong Kim advises on contentious mergers and shareholder issues. Former judge Sang Woo Lee regularly represents clients before the National Tax Tribunal.

With demonstrable expertise in contentious tax appeals and litigation, Lee & Ko’s market leading team represents major Korean retailers and companies, providing the full range of advisory and consulting service, and handling inbound and outbound investments and transactions. Ok Hyun Ma leads the team alongside Tom Kwon, with the latter advising on international tax planning, domestic and cross-border acquisition structuring, and a wide range of cross-border transactions. Litigation and disputes specialist Byeong Jun Son handles corporate income tax and value-added tax matters, while esteemed litigator Sung Hyun Ryu regularly presents cases to national tax appeal tribunals. Kyung Tae Kim is also recommended.

Yulchon’s team regularly advises major Korean and multinational clients in high-stakes tax disputes and litigation. Managing partner Seok Hoon Kang and Dong Soo Kim jointly lead the practice, and Kyu Dong Kim focuses on international tax matters, in addition to the tax elements of cross-border M&As. In a stand out case, Yun Heui Cho and Ki Seon Shin led a team which represented Samsung SDS on the largest royalty withholding tax case in Korean history, seeking the appeal of a corporate tax assessment of $114m. On the advisory side of the practice, US certified accountant Tae Hyoung Kim advises on tax due diligence and risk assessments, while providing support on tax audits and appeals.

With demonstrable experience in tax tribunal appeals and litigation, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC’s team handles tax and legislative advisory work, particularly on overseas alternative investments. Dong Hyun Kim heads the practice and former judge Il Young Cho boasts considerable experience in tax-related administrative and criminal litigation. Senior foreign attorney Maria Chang advises foreign clients across structuring, tax planning, and cross-border transactions, and Seog Kyoo Kang is another key contact in the group.

Shin & Kim’s ‘highly reputable’ full-service tax practice has ‘extensive international experience’, advising on a wide range of tax consulting mandates, cross-border transactions, and business planning and modelling strategies. Team head Je Heum Baik is highly experienced in contentious tax work, handling corporate tax litigation and tribunals for major domestic and international financial clients. Hyeon-Jin Kim leads the advisory and investigatory side of the practice, while international tax attorney Sun Young (Sunny) Kim handles financial and strategic, and inbound and outbound transactions for major international clients. Since publication, the team welcomed Jung Yeol Lee who joined from Yoon & Yang LLC.

The tax practice at DR & AJU LLC handles local, international and customs tax matters, with additional experience in criminal investigations and litigation. Former judge Kyu Chul Lee leads the team, which recently expanded with the arrival of Sung Hee Han in January 2023, former commissioner of the National Tax Service. Shin Hee Kim specialises in corporate, inheritance, and gift tax litigation, and Heon Goo Kang is another key contact in the group.

Yoon & Yang LLC’s tax practice handles a broad range of matters, including compliance, audits and international taxation, in addition to litigation and disputes. Experienced litigator Jae Woong Jeong leads the team and Wankyu Jeon litigates general administrative matters. Associate Young Woong Park focuses on cross-border M&A, and overseas tax planning and strategy mandates.