Recognised in the real estate market for its expertise in city development projects, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC is a go-to for real estate developments, including office, commercial and residential facilities. The department has a robust offering covering real estate-related investment projects and real estate transactions, using REIT and REF structures. Leading the practice is Eun Jin Jeon, who is an authority on collective real estate investment through REITs, project finance vehicles and real estate holding companies. Gun Chul Do is sought after for his aptitude in handling inbound and outbound investment, real estate development and project financing. Another key practitioner in the team is Hyeon Kang, an expert in collective real estate investment. Seung Eun Chi is active in large-scale and cross-border real estate transactions. Jaehwa Park is also noted. The firm’s reach was extended with the arrival of David Pyun from Kim & Chang in June 2024.
Real estate: local firms in South Korea
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC
Praxisleiter:
Eun Jin Jeon
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Gun Chul Do; Hyeon Kang; Seung Eun Chi; David Pyun; Jaehwa Park
Referenzen
‘They’ve always done their best to follow the client’s request, given the best advice for the requisite. Each team member is not a solo player but a team player, which makes it easier to communicate and collaborate with.’
‘I think their continuous support and proactive approach are key to being differentiated from competitors.’
‘We have consistently relied on BKL for legal advice during our large-scale projects. Even when our inquiries were complex and time-sensitive, they always responded with great care, precision, and timeliness. Their team demonstrated a deep understanding of our business needs and provided clear, actionable guidance across a wide range of legal issues.’
Kernmandanten
BLACKSTONE
WARBURG PINCUS
Digital Realty Trust Inc.
Invesco Real Estate Korea
Partners Group AG
PGIM Fund Management Limited
INSPIRE INTEGRATED RESORT
Qube Industrial
Incheon International Airport Corporation
CJ Olive Young Corporation
Mastern Investment Management Co., Ltd
F&F
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Inspire and Bain Capital on the acquisition of Inspire Integrated Resort, covering regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, casino license requirements, and financing aspects of the transaction.
- Advised Pacific Asset Management and CPPIB on the KRW 1.12 trillion development of Korean carrier-neutral hyperscale data centre in Yongin, providing end-to-end legal support on investment structuring, due diligence, key agreements, financing, construction, leasing, and regulatory matters.
- Advised Blackstone on its Korea-based real estate acquisition led by the Blackstone Korea team, providing full legal support on the sale and purchase transaction, fund formation, and debt financing.
Kim & Chang
With strengths in landmark real estate transactions in Korea, including public REITs, private REITs and REF developments, Kim & Chang is sought after by clients seeking support on investments, acquisitions and developments. At the helm of the practice, Yon Kyun Oh stands out for his aptitude in assisting investors on acquisitions, the development of real properties and the leasing of assets. Keun Ah Cho is experienced in real property investment structures, such as REITs, share acquisitions and project financing. The team also benefits from Jin Ho Song's expertise in domestic and commercial real estate transactions for foreign and institutional investors, while Sang Min Lee brings additional acquisition capabilities to the team. Mia Kim acts in construction projects, leasing projects, and the sale and purchase of real properties.
Praxisleiter:
Yon Kyun OH
Kernmandanten
GIC
TPG Angelo Gordon
DWS Group
KKR & Co.
Goldman Sachs
The Blackstone Group
Brookfield Asset Management
M&G Real Estate
NPS (National Pension Service of Korea)
Samsung SRA Asset Management Co.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Samsung SRA Asset Management on the acquisition of The Asset Building.
- Advised on the sale of the Namsan Square building located in Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea.
- Advised a real estate fund on its acquisition of 25 office and retail units of strata buildings.
Lee & Ko
Lee & Ko’s real estate expertise spans domestic and overseas real estate investment and development, domestic real estate redevelopment, general real estate trusts and real estate dispute resolution. With particular expertise in the technology and digital infrastructure sectors, the practice is receiving a growing stream of work from the logistics and data centres industries. Practice co-head Junghwan Lee is a seasoned advisor on cross-border real estate transactions, while fellow co-head Dong Seok Woo lends his broad experience to commercial property acquisitions, real estate financing and development projects. Jin Wook Yang concentrates on real estate deals involving REITs and real estate funds, as well as project-financed developments. With experience in inbound and outbound transactions, Jee In Kim is recognised for her aptitude in the use of collective investment vehicles.
Praxisleiter:
Junghwan Lee; Dong Seok Woo
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jin Wook Yang; Jee In Kim
Referenzen
‘Provided timely and necessary advice from the client’s perspective.’
‘Lee & Ko’s Real Estate Practice Group offers a supportive, multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from various areas of law including tax, finance, corporate and other areas.’
‘What sets this real estate practice apart is its speed, accuracy, and hands-on approach. A key lawyer (Jee In Kim from Lee & Ko) I’ve worked with is exceptionally meticulous and responsive—qualities that are critical in time-sensitive real estate deals.’
Kernmandanten
AIP Asset Co., Ltd.
Alpha Asset Management M.F.M.C.
Amplus Asset Co., Ltd.
BNK Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Belstar Superfreeze Holdings
Capstone Asset Management Co.. Ltd.
D&D Investment Corp.
DWS Asset Management (Korea) Co. Ltd.
Daishin Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Daol Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Fursys Inc.
GAW Capital Partners
GIC Pte Ltd.
Global Life Science Solutions Korea Ltd.
Goodwill Company Co., Ltd.
Gravity Asset Management Co., Ltd.
HHR Asset Management, Inc.
Hana Alternative Management Co., Ltd.
Heungkuk Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Hotel Lotte Co., Ltd.
Hyundai Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Hyundai Investments Co., Ltd.
ICG plc
IGIS Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Inmark Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Jungseok Enterprise Co., Ltd.
KB Asset Management Co., Ltd.
KTB Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Keppel Investment Management
Koramco Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute
Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Koreit Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Kyungbang Co., Ltd.
LB Asset Management Inc.
LG Display Co., Ltd.
Logos Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Lotte Insurance Co., Ltd.
Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd.
Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund Inc.
Mastern Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Midas Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Mirae Asset Global Investments Co., Ltd.
Nexon Korea Corporation
Pacific Investment Management Co., Ltd.
Pine & Partners Asset Management Co., Ltd.
QUBE Industrial Asset Management Co., Ltd.
RIFA Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Samsung SRA Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd.
Shinhan Alternative Investment Management, Inc.
Shinhan REITs Management Co., Ltd.
Solus Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.
Supex Village Co., Ltd.
Tiger Alternative Investors Co., Ltd.
Vestas Investment Management Co., Ltd.
YJ Tech Co., Ltd.
Yido Management Co., Ltd.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund Inc. on the KRW 734 billion acquisition of Hanam Data Center through Green Digital Infra.
- Advised RIFA Asset Management on the KRW 675.3 billion strategic investment in the 32MW Cheongna Data Center PFV.
- Advised Koramco Asset Management on the KRW 49 billion acquisition of Icheon Logistics Center via a Master-Feeder Structure, in the first transaction under a KRW 400 billion strategic investment commitment by Starwood Capital Group.
Shin & Kim
Shin & Kim's real estate practice excels in transactions across the establishment of real estate funds, listed REIT projects, real estate sales and purchases, and real estate-related financing. The firm has a strong presence in inbound investment into the Korean real estate market, as well as regularly advising developers of various real estate assets. Leading the team is Kyung Soo Chang, who balances a varied practice spanning property development projects, project financings, and sale and purchase of commercial properties. Alongside him, Robert Young co-leads the team, representing international real estate and private equity funds in the acquisition, operation and disposition of various assets. With a similarly focused practice, Eunjoo Lee is a key name for work on offices, retail, logistics and data centre assets. Kyung Don Lee continues to expand his activity in development projects for small to large-scale warehouses, and Thak-Hwan Kim acts on the financing and development of properties.
Praxisleiter:
Kyoung Soo Chang; Robert Young
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Eunjoo Lee; Kyung Don Lee; Thak-Hwan Kim; Dong-Seon Kim; Jang-Sik Kim; Suk Lee
Referenzen
‘They not only have strong senior partners with ton of experiences but also do have strong junior associates that deliver and work to the highest standards I have seen. I am a satisfied client.’
‘Robert Young, an Amercian lawyer with vast experience in Korea – we not only use his team all the time but also rely on Robert as our lawyer which can’t happen without trust and relationship.’
‘The team comprises highly experienced partner-level attorneys as well as associates who are deeply attuned to practical execution. Over years of working closely together, the team has developed seamless collaboration, enabling swift and professional communication and problem-solving throughout the entire process.’
Kernmandanten
Blackstone
LaSalle Investment Management Asia Pte Ltd.
Brookfield
Actis Korea Ltd
Warburg Pincus Singapore Pte Ltd.
Nuveen Singapore Private Limited
AEW ASIA LIMITED
IGIS Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Kendall Square Logistics Properties
Travelodge Hotels (Asia) Pte Ltd
PAG
ARA Korea (REF) Limited
Macquarie Korea Asset Management
Edn Investment Management
MERITZ Alternative Investment Management
GIC Real Estate International Korea Co., Ltd.
Shinhan REITs Management
Aberdeen Standard Investments
Mastern Investment Managemen
LB Asset Management Inc.
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted IGIS Asset Management in the forward purchase of the Magok One Grove (CP4) Complex.
- Assisted Warburg Pincus in the Deokseong Data Center Development Project.
- Advised LaSalle Investment Management on Project Jisan, the purchase of a warehouse portfolio located in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Yulchon
Yulchon provides a ‘one-stop service’ to clients, with expertise spanning all major areas of the real estate sector. The team collaborates closely with its tax group, enabling it to advise clients on the tax aspects of real estate transactions. Department head Tae Jin Cha’s wide-ranging practice covers domestic and overseas real estate investments and related disputes, whereas Ju Bong Park’s practice spans from acquisition to real estate development. Jin Seok Choi advises on structured real estate finance. Other key practitioners in the team include Min Gyu Kim, who demonstrates expertise in development mandates, and Young Joon Yoon, a go-to contact for the entire real estate investment life cycle.
Praxisleiter:
Tae Jin Cha; Ju Bong Park
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jin Seok Choi; Min Gyu Kim; Young Joon Yoon
Referenzen
‘The team provides great one-stop service for various matters with competitive pricing.’
‘Tae Jin Cha and his team have excellent resources and have high commercial awareness.’
‘The team demonstrates exceptional expertise in the field of real estate. Their work is marked by outstanding professionalism and strategic insight.’
Kernmandanten
ARA Korea
ADF Asset Management
AM Plus Asset Development Inc.
BentallGreenOak (formerly known as GreenOak)
CBRE Investment Management (Korea) (formerly known as CBRE Global Investors (Korea))
Digital Edge
Edn Investment Management
Gaw Capital
Gravity Asset Management
Hana Alternative Asset Management
Hana Asset Trust
Hana Financial Investment
Hangang Asset Management
Hanwha Asset Management
Hanwha Investment & Securities
Heritage Asset Management
HHR Asset Management
JB Asset Management
JR AMC
Koramco Asset Management
Korea International Trade Association
Keppel Investment Management
Korea Asset In Trust
Korean Teachers’ Credit Union
Kyobo AIM Asset Management
LaSalle Investment Management
LB Asset Management
Logos Property
Lotte AMC
Lotte Corporation
Mastern Investment Management
Morgan Stanley
Mirae Asset Global Investments
Mirae Asset Securities
NH-Amundi Asset Management
NH Investment & Securities
NH REITs Management
Oaktree
Pacific Asset Management Company
Pacific Investment Management
Pebblestone Asset Management
RIFA Asset Management
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance
Samsung SRA Asset Management
Seraya Partners
Shinhan Investment Corp.
Shinhan REITs Management
Smart Square D&I
Tiger Alternative Investors
Koramco Trust
Milestone Asset Management
Vestas Asset Management
Shinsegae Property Investment Management
IGIS Asset Management
IGIS X Asset Management
Invesco
Kendal Square Asset Management
Kreate Asset Management (KRR’s Korean AMC)
KB Asset Management
Hyundai Alternative Investment Management
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised IGIS Asset Management on the acquisition of a KKR-developed logistics centre in Incheon.
- Advised Morgan Stanley on the investment in a private housing fund.
- Advised Morgan Stanley on the acquisition of private housing assets.
Yoon & Yang LLC
Yoon & Yang LLC is recognised for its robust real estate transaction offering, particularly relating to REITs, property acquisitions and project financings. Young Woo Park leads the practice, having routinely worked on real estate transactions, developments and investments, particularly within the leisure sector. Chang Wook Shin splits his time between real estate litigation and real estate investment work.
Praxisleiter:
Young Woo Park
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Chang Wook Shin
Kernmandanten
KORAMCO REITS & Trust (KORAMCO R&T)
Daishin Asset Management
Hyundai Department Store
LX Pantos Co., Ltd.
Igis Asset Management
Capstone Asset Management
Daehan Real Estate Trust Co., Ltd.
Daishin Asset Trust Co., Ltd.
NH Nonghyup REIT Management
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Koramco Asset Trust throughout all stages of the sale transaction of “The Asset Tower”, a landmark office building in Gangnam, Seoul, Korea.
- Advised Daishin Asset Management on the establishment of an investment company under the Financial Investment Services Capital Market Act (FSCMA) and purchase of office facilities to be built in the Sewoon Redevelopment Promotion District.
- Advised on NongHyup REITs Management’s acquisition of Donuimun D Tower in downtown Seoul.
Dentons Lee
Under the leadership of Timothy Trinka and Hailey Hye-In Jin, Dentons Lee's real estate and construction practice is uniquely positioned as an international law firm with a full-service real estate practice in Korea and collaborates closely with the firm's tax, corporate, litigation and regulatory teams. This approach allows the team to handle cross-border real estate transactions, with recent work on developing luxury resort complexes and the market entry of data centre operators. Hye-In Jin is recognised for her work on large-scale commercial projects.
Praxisleiter:
Tim Trinka; Hailey Hye-In Jin
Kernmandanten
Therme Group Korea
DL E&C Co., Ltd. a/k/a Daelim
IGIS Asset Management
Pluglink Inc.
Doan Castle 1st Project / Geumsil Urban Development
MH Champagnes and Wines Korea, Ltd.
Bulgari Korea Limited
Tiffany Korea Co., Ltd.
IMG
Frieze
Renegade Plastics
Shinyoung C&D Corp.
Lotte Hotel and Resorts
DSD Samho
Donghwa District Urban Development Association
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising DL E&C on the Osan Sema District 1st Urban Development Project, a long-term, large-scale residential development involving complex zoning, land disputes and regulatory strategy.
- Advising Therme Group on the structuring and regulatory aspects of its first Asia-Pacific wellness resort in Incheon, a $500m+ project.
- Advised IGIS X Asset Management, a subsidiary of Korea’s largest real estate private equity firm, on GP-level compliance and ESG policy development.
Jipyong LLC
Jipyong LLC's REITs and REF practice has experience acting across all stages of real estate projects, spanning from planning and structuring through to execution and post-closing matters. Overseeing the team is Seok Jae Lee, an expert in real asset and development project investments through REITs, REFs and PFVs. Joon Hyuk Lee has a similarly focused expertise that he lends to domestic and overseas commercial offices, retail and residential projects.
Praxisleiter:
Seok Jae LEE
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Joon Hyuk Lee
Kernmandanten
IGIS Private Real Estate Investment Trust No. 24
Plus Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Mastern No. 112 Logispoint Yongin PFV Co., Ltd.
Korea Container Pool Inc.
Busan Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Daishin Asset Trust Co., Ltd
K-1 REIT No. 25 Co., Ltd.
LB Living General Private REIT No.54-3s
IGIS General Private REIT No. 543
Shinhan Alpha Seosomun REITs
Hanssem Co., Ltd.
SamsungFN REIT Co., Ltd.
LOTTE REIT Co., Ltd.
HL 3rd REIT Co., Ltd.
KB Securities, KOREIT
SK REIT Co., Ltd.
Together Chungjeongro Office REITs 7 Co., Ltd
HDC Value-Add General Private Real Estate Investment Trust No. 4
Hanssem Co., Ltd.
K The 15th REIT Co., Ltd.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised IGIS Asset Management on the sale of Gwanghwamun G tower owned by IGIS Private Real Estate Investment Trust No. 24.
- Advised Plus Asset Management on the purchase of PREX North in Tokyo.
- Advised Mastern Investment Management on the sale of a warehouse at 64-1, Bongmu-ri, Namsa-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do.