M&A is a flagship component of the corporate practice at O'Melveny, with an impressive client roster turning to the firm for assistance with M&A transactions, joint ventures, leveraged acquisitions, and private equity buyouts. The team is jointly led from Seoul by Daniel Sae-Chin Kim, a go-to contact for multinational clients on M&A transactions and international joint ventures, and Woojae Kim, an active advisor on high-value M&A and joint ventures across key industries, such as the technology, manufacturing, and energy industries. Hae-in Park is a key point of contact for some of the firm’s larger clients and provides counsel to Korean and multinational companies on M&A, joint ventures, and IPOs.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has had a presence in South Korea for over thirty years, building an impressive roster of Korean clients across various industries, such as semiconductors, batteries, automotive, and financial services. In addition, the department has a track record of representing Korean and international corporations, financial institutions, and government entities in M&A and private equity transactions. Young Shin leads the department, acting on M&A, joint ventures, energy-related investments, and corporate finance transactions. Hyungsoo Kim advises buyers and investors on high-profile corporate and M&A transactions.

With over four decades of activity in Seoul, White & Case LLP (Foreign Legal Consultant Office) ‘combines the institutional depth of a large law firm with the agility and personalisation of a boutique’ to excel in outbound transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, and private equity deals. Practice head Dongho Lee is a key practitioner for Korean and global clients, including private equity firms, conglomerates, and technology companies, on cross-border M&A transactions.

Collaborating with Korean firm HwaHyun, Ashurst Korea JV is recognised for its stream of cross-border outbound acquisitions, investments, and corporate matters. As the global head of the firm’s Korea practice, John Kim ‘understands how Korean businesses operate and has deep knowledge and expertise regarding cross-border matters’. Korean-qualified practitioner Lawrence Jhe is managing partner at the Korean office and adds inbound transactional capabilities to the team. Out of the Hong Kong office, Huiyeon Kim handles complex cross-border M&A and joint venture formations, while Jeongtaek Kim advises across the telecoms, media, and construction sectors, among others, on cross-border M&A.

Regarded by clients for its ‘great collaboration between offices around the world’ and excelling in cross-border M&A, DLA Piper’s Korean office adopts a structure of lawyers aligned to specific industry sectors to deliver expertise to clients. Korean managing partner Daniel Lee is experienced in cross-border M&A transactions and foreign direct investments. Luke Gannon heads up the Asia corporate practice and has in-depth knowledge of corporate finance transactions, including M&A and fund raising. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Jang Hyuk Yeo from Greenberg Traurig LLP in November 2024, who handles M&A, minority investments, and general corporate matters.

Fielding on-the-ground specialists, Ropes & Gray LLP's Korean practice is noted for its work on high-value inbound and outbound M&A transactions, and it is particularly notable for its work in the private equity, technology, and life sciences sectors. At the helm of the practice, Jaewoo Lee has developed a diverse client base for the firm, and Lee is a leading name for corporate and M&A transactions related to the Korean market. The team benefits from Keun Shin's deep knowledge of complex cross-border M&A, investments, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions. Ethan Kim and JC Kim are also recommended.

Baker McKenzie & KL Partners Joint Venture Law Firm is sought after by domestic and international companies for outbound and inbound Korea-related work, particularly standing out for its work in the infrastructure, IT and communications, and media industries. Hong Kong-based Won Lee leads the team, advising clients on cross-border M&A and investment projects. Albert Chung handles cross-border M&A, with a particular focus on investments in the manufacturing, technology, energy, and infrastructure sectors, and Jae-Hyon Ahn focuses on financing for financial institutions and international companies. Seong Hoon (Sean) Yi is another notable member of the department.

Milbank's Korean practice receives work from the technology, renewables, biopharmaceuticals, heavy industry, and financial services sectors in investment, M&A, and corporate finance. The team is led by David Cho, a seasoned advisor on cross-border M&A, corporate finance, and capital markets transactions, particularly excelling in the industrial space. Spencer Park is notably skilled in outbound corporate and real estate investments involving South Korean asset management and investment clients.

With a client roster comprised of global multinationals and South Korean conglomerates, Paul Hastings LLP covers the entire scope of multi-jurisdictional M&A and corporate mandates, utilising the firm’s global network and expertise in complementary practice areas. Dong Chul Kim oversees the team and is a key advisor to Korean corporations on outbound M&A transactions. Iksoo Kim provides assistance to strategic and private equity clients on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions.

Latham & Watkins LLP's practice is well-equipped to serve Korean and multinational companies in outbound and inbound cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. Overseeing the team out of the Hong Kong office, Wonsuk (Steve) Kang is a key contact for Korean companies on strategic corporate transactions. In Seoul, Regina Kim advises clients on both outbound and inbound investments and corporate transactions.

Noted for its skill in handling renewable energy and infrastructure transactions, Linklaters is turned to by a client roster of Korean conglomerates, financial institutions, and international investors. The team is particularly skilled at handling transactions in renewable energy and infrastructure. Seoul-based Joo Hee Lee exemplifies this in particular, combining aptitude in energy and infrastructure with a demonstrable track record on cross-border transactions, while Betty Yap acts for private equity funds in cross-border M&A, co-investment transactions, and joint ventures out of the Hong Kong office. The two lead the team alongside Robert Elliott  and Yoshiyuki Asaoka. Kevin Kang joined from Bae, Kim & Lee LLC in May 2024, strengthening the team's abilities surrounding growth capital, structured investments, and cross-border M&A.

The Hong Kong-based Korean practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Hong Kong actively advises on M&A and private equity investments, both public and private, as well as inbound and outbound transactions. Jin Hyuk Park spearheads the Korea practice, with over thirty years of experience in M&A transactions, including representing clients in acquisitions across China, Korea, and the United States. Joongwon Park routinely assists clients with M&A transactions, including buyouts and minority investments.