Kim & Chang offers clients a comprehensive range of tax services, covering tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, local tax litigation, international tax disputes, and other Korean tax issues from business inception to exit. Additionally, the firm maintains an active transfer pricing and customs practice, where Tae-Yeon Nam is a key advisor. A core focus of Jae Young Lyu‘s practice is structuring tax-efficient transactions in cross-border M&A, while Jisoo Lee adds vast experience in tax audits to the team, and Seung Jong Yang is a crucial contact for international tax matters; the three jointly lead the team. Woo Hyun Baik concentrates on finance and general tax consulting, and Byung Moon Jung specialises in tax audits. With a background in both the National Tax Service and the judiciary, Sang Woo Lee handles tax and customs disputes.
Tax: local firms in South Korea
Kim & Chang
Praxisleiter:
Jisoo Lee; Jae Young Lyu; Seung Jong Yang
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Woo Hyun Baik; Byung Moon Jung; Sang Woo Lee; Jong Hyun Park
Referenzen
‘Jong Hyun Park and his team have an immense amount of experience and are very competent when providing tax advice. The team also provides prompt response with a very detailed explanation.’
‘From my experience, Jong Hyun Park is probably the go-to person in the industry. He definitely knows the content very well and engages in every step of the process to provide client satisfaction.’
‘The team members take pride in their areas of expertise and are dedicated to their work. They have strong connections with the government and excellent communication skills with clients. Despite a heavy workload, they remain resilient, respond sincerely to client demands, and provide prompt service.’
Kernmandanten
Goldman Sachs
LG Electronics Inc.
Citibank
CJ
Morgan Stanley
Hyundai Motor Company
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Oracle Korea
SK Hynix
National Oilwell Varco
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented KKR in connection with its redemption of the existing redeemable convertible preferred shares (RCPS) issued by SK E&S and its acquisition of RCPS newly issued by E&S City Gas and E&S City Gas Busan.
- Advised Hahn & Company on the tax aspects of its acquisition of a controlling interest in SK Specialty.
- Advised Archimed on a take-private transaction involving the acquisition of the 100% stake in Jeisys Medical by way of share acquisition via rollover structure, tender offer and comprehensive share swap.
Lee & Ko
Lee & Ko houses a tax team with expertise spanning all key tax services. The practice is equally skilled at handling tax litigation and appeals and tax audit defence work. The experienced team, led by Ok Hyun Ma and Tom Kwon, includes former judges, Korean and international attorneys, and former government tax officials. As a former judge, Ma lends his expertise to complex tax disputes, while Kwon chiefly concentrates on international tax and the tax aspects of M&A. Sung Hwan Kim is recognised for his broad tax portfolio, overseeing tax litigation, tax planning and compliance. Kyung Tae Kim is a notable name in tax litigation. Steve Minhoo Kim primarily acts in inbound international tax and transfer pricing structuring, and Sang Hoon Kim handles M&A and international and corporate tax.
Praxisleiter:
Ok Hyun Ma; Tom Kwon
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Sung Hwan Kim; Kyung Tae Kim; Steve Minhoo Kim; Sang Hoon Kim; Jae Wung Cho
Referenzen
‘Deep Korean knowledge and insights both from a technical and local practice perspective, as well as an excellent ability to understand quickly the client’s agenda and specific considerations and blend that into the Korean environment to help fashion an approach that will work quickly and comprehensively.’
‘Steve Minhoo Kim is outstanding as a client service partner as well as being technically excellent. He conveys the local issues and context in a way that is really relatable for the client, both delivering the nuances of the local considerations but also knowing the likely different concerns or viewpoints that may be front of mind from a parent company jurisdiction perspective.’
‘I believe the biggest strengths of Lee & Ko’s Tax and customs practice are their loyalty and attentiveness towards the client, as well as their expertise in Korean tax laws. They are highly responsive and harmonious, work as a team, and provide high-quality deliverables with tight due dates.’
Kernmandanten
Daishin Securities Company
Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd.
Lotte Hi-Mart
Lotte Datviet Home Shopping Co., Ltd.
AK Plaza Department Store
Korea Rural Community Corporation
Highlight-Mandate
- Successfully represented HDC Holdings before the District Court in tax litigation concerning the deductibility of expenses charged by a domestic affiliate, focusing on the fair market value standard.
- Represented a prominent multinational pharmaceutical company in connection with a non-regular tax audit conducted by the Korean National Tax Service, successfully defending the client against the transfer pricing challenge related to its Korean operations.
- Represented Lotte Retailers in high-stakes VAT litigation concerning the taxability of customer point/discount programmes, challenging the NTS’s position that such discounts should be included in the VAT base.
Yulchon
Yulchon remains a leader in complex and landmark tax disputes, with recent highlights for the group including the representation of Hankook Tire in a precedent-setting transfer pricing matter before the Tax Tribunal. The department has a robust offering spanning M&A, transfer pricing and international taxation. Group head Young Joon Chun chiefly concentrates on tax dispute settlements and tax consulting, while co-head Kun Jai Kim has a demonstrable track record representing large multinational enterprises in tax litigation. The team benefits from Yun Heui Cho’s additional tax litigation and consulting aptitude, as well as Kyu Dong Kim’s expertise in cross-border transactions and overseas funds investing. With extensive experience in court proceedings from his former career as a judge, Won Gyo Han lends his expertise to tax litigation. Yong Whan Choi works closely with multinational corporations on transfer pricing, restructuring and beneficial ownership, and Min Young Sung focuses on outbound investment. Tae Hyoung Kim and Ellie Jin advise on international taxation.
Praxisleiter:
Young Joon Chun; Kun Jai Kim
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Yun Heui Cho; Kyu Dong Kim; Won Gyo Han; Yong Whan Choi; Min Young Sung; Tae Hyoung Kim; Ellie Jin
Referenzen
‘Let me enumerate what makes this team stand out: 1. Best knowledge/understanding in the relevant business 2. Reasonable billing amount 3. Sincere attitudes of the professionals 4. Accumulated tax knowledge in the best environment 5. Best quality of opinions and a deep dive for the best analysis 6. Best collaboration with ex-tax officers and CPAs internally in Yulchon.’
‘Mr. Yong Whan Choi is an excellent tax professional who responds very promptly in a professional way. He is all around the clock. He serves his client best, and as a client, I always felt I was a very special and important client, as he always gets back with his best services. He is not only very kind but also very diligent with extreme professionalism in tax.’
‘The Yulchon stands out for its exceptional expertise and collaborative culture, offering tailored solutions for clients. Its innovative use of technology and diverse talent enhances service quality, while a transparent billing structure builds trust. These strengths, combined with a client-centric approach, differentiate it from competitors.’
Kernmandanten
Amazon
Microsoft
Qualcomm
Corning
Cadence Design Systems
Koch Industry Group
PTC
Airbnb
Netflix
Agoda
Shutterstock
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Goldman Sachs
TPG capital
Macquarie
Morgan Stanley
L’Oréal International
UPS
Meritz Alternative Investment Management
Hyundai Asset Management
Mirae Asset Global Investments
Coupang
British American Tobacco
Samsung Electronics
SK Hynix
LG Energy Solutions
Lotte Group
IGIS Asset Management
KTB Investment & Securities
Prudential
Kayak (Hotels Combined)
Société Générale
JP Morgan Chase Bank
Mastern Investment Management
ARA Korea Asset Management
Trescal
Agilent
Certa Insurance Partners
SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile)
Allianz Capital
Liberty GTS
Applied Materials
Keysight
Novelis
BP (British Petroleum)
Samsung SDS
Samsung Biologics
Samsung Bioepis
Highlight-Mandate
- Successfully represented Hankook Tire in its Tax Tribunal appeal against the tax authorities’ transfer pricing adjustments.
- Advised IMM Private Equity on the tax aspects of its acquisition of Ecorbit Co.
- Advised on Korean tax issues in relation to Blackstone’s sale of its controlling stake in Korea’s drug wholesaler and medical device distributor Geo-Young.
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC is positioned to provide a full range of legal services related to tax, with the team standing out in tax disputes and transfer pricing matters. Practice head Mooyoun Cho ‘invests time to understand not just the legal aspects but also the personal and business circumstances that underlie each case’ relating to tax audits, regulation revisions and tax litigation. Il Young Cho chiefly concentrates on tax and criminal tax litigation, and Cheol Hyung Yu engages closely with clients on tax probes. Seongjun Joo leads the customs practice, advising on free trade agreements and foreign exchange agreements, while Gyuchan Shim acts in tax crime investigations. Maria Chang left the team in July 2025.
Praxisleiter:
Mooyoun Cho
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Il Young Cho; Cheol Hyung Yu; Seongjun Joo; Gyuchan Shim; Tae Kyoon Kim
Referenzen
‘What sets BKL apart is its outstanding combination of specialised expertise, collaborative culture, and commitment to innovation. As a client, I have been consistently impressed by their ability to provide tailored, practical solutions—no matter how complex or specialised my needs.’
‘The tax team keeps the capability of catching the client’s case very efficiently. The team maintains a sound and good relationship with the authorities and expert groups, and it’s able to communicate preemptively with them. The team consists of general attorneys and tax attorneys.’
‘Tae Kyoon Kim, Tax team’s partner, provided the creative idea for the client and communicated well with the authorities and experts in advance.’
Kernmandanten
Affinity Equity Partners
KKR
Ardian Investment
Republic of Korea
GalaxyMoneyTree Co., Ltd.
Samsung Securities
LG Energy Solution
SUNGDAM.
HITEJINRO CO.,LTD.
Korea Environment Corporation
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented Korea Environment Corporation in securing a favourable VAT exemption ruling and a refund of approximately KRW 80 billion by successfully arguing that its services were provided at actual cost.
- Represented multiple clients, including Samsung Securities, in successfully challenging tax assessments on interest income from borrowed-name accounts, securing favourable rulings at both trial levels and setting a key precedent under the Real Name Act.
- Represented the Korean tax authority in a civil lawsuit concerning the refund of withheld taxes, successfully defending against a claim for unjust enrichment and clarifying key legal principles on tax withholding, refund rights, and the effect of revoked assessments.
Shin & Kim
Home to a versatile team, Shin & Kim provides a full-service tax offering. Tax controversy is a particular area of strength for the team, where it focuses on tax audits and tax appeals. Je-Heum Baik oversees the team, with a demonstrable track record in corporate tax litigation, while Jinkyu Yoon and Hun-Tae Doh‘s main areas of focus include customs and international tax. Other key practitioners include Hyeon-Jin Kim, who leads the tax advisory and tax investigation team, and Jung Yeol Lee, a name to note for customs matters. Maria Chang joined the team in July 2025 from Bae, Kim & Lee LLC.
Praxisleiter:
Je-Heum Baik
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jinkyu Yoon; Hun-Tae Doh; Hyeon-Jin Kim; Jung Yeol Lee; Maria Chang
Referenzen
‘What distinguishes this team is its ability to combine deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of regulatory context and practical considerations. Their work is consistently well-structured and tailored, providing clients with clear and actionable advice even in grey or evolving areas of the law.’
‘Among the individuals I have worked with, Mr. Je-heum Baik stands out for his exceptional combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and practical judgement. He consistently demonstrates the ability to break down complex legal and tax matters into clear, actionable steps, which adds significant value in high-stakes situations.’
‚I recommend Partner Attorney Jung Yeol Lee. He has an understanding of the client’s needs.‘
Kernmandanten
Oracle Korea
GE Capital
Samsung Biologics
Samsung Card
Samsung Heavy Industry
Samsung C&T Co., Ltd.
HD Hyundai Oilbank
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
Hanwha Solution
Hanwha Ocean
SK E&S
CJ CheilJedang
DL Group
Hyosung Corporation
Shinhan Asset Management
IGIS Asset Management
LaSalle Investment Management
Kendall Square Asset Management
Subway International B.V.
AIG
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing Oracle in a major tax dispute involving the cancellation of withholding tax on payments to its Irish subsidiary for software imports, and the imposition of corporate tax on intercompany service charges.
- Representing Shin Hwa World in landmark tax litigation challenging Korea’s first attempt to impose tax on an indirect offshore transfer of shares.
- Representing major power generation companies in connection with the cancellation of a disposition of refusal to requests for correction of regional development tax assessments.
DR & AJU LLC
Collaborating closely with accounting and tax advisory firms on complex work, DR & AJU LLC provides tax services across all stages, including tax audits, criminal cases and tax litigation. Practice head Shin Hee Kim is a seasoned advisor on tax litigation, customs inspections and corporate succession matters. Kyu Chul Lee engages closely with public authorities on tax litigation and advisory matters, and In Wook Hwang chiefly concentrates on tax litigation, customs and international tax matters. Da Som Lee is noted for his work on tax litigation.
Praxisleiter:
Shin Hee Kim
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Kyu Chul Lee; In Wook Hwang; Da Som Lee
Kernmandanten
Head of NTS Yeongdeungpo District Tax Office
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the head of the tax authority (defendant) in litigation brought by KB Financial Group challenging the imposition of VAT on interest income received from its subsidiary.
Yoon & Yang LLC
Praised by its diverse client base for its ‘strategic framing, persuasive advocacy and practical insight’, Yoon & Yang LLC has continued to expand its international tax practice with the hires of Jay Shim, Sang Hyun Ryu and Hoanku Lee from Lee & Ko. Wankyu Jeon oversees the department and receives a varied stream of work spanning international taxation to income tax matters. On the tax advisory and strategy front, Oh-Young Jeon is a name to note, as is Yong Taek Kim for tax litigation. Jong Hwa Jung adds additional tax litigation capabilities to the group, while Young Woong Park leads on tax audits and tax planning strategies.
Praxisleiter:
Wankyu Jeon
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Jay Shim; Sang Hyun Ryu; Hoanku Lee; Oh-Young Jeon; Yong Taek Kim; Jong Hwa Jung; Young Woong Park
Referenzen
‘The team’s strength lies in its deep understanding of tax law. Compared to other firms, Yoon & Yang stood out for its strategic framing, persuasive advocacy, and practical insight, ultimately securing a complete win before the Tax Tribunal. Their ability to turn legal complexity into clear, favourable outcomes makes them a highly reliable partner.’
‘Mr. Yong Taek Kim stands out for his sharp legal insight and exceptional command of tax and administrative law. What sets him apart is his ability to analyse both the legal and practical dimensions of a case, crafting arguments that are not only technically sound but also strategically persuasive.’
‘Mr. Yong Taek Kim’s clear communication, deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, and calm yet decisive advocacy before the Tax Tribunal were instrumental in achieving a full victory. His professionalism, precision, and client-focused approach make him truly outstanding among his peers.’
Kernmandanten
Paradise Segasammy Co., Ltd.
British American Tobacco Korea
Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd
Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd
IGIS Asset Management
Hyundai Rotem
Olympus Korea
Shinhan Life
Samsung Electronics Service
SK geo centric
Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd.
Korea Railroad Corp.
Bukwang Pharm Co Ltd
EEW Korea
Highlight-Mandate
- Successfully challenged a KRW 8 billion tax assessment on behalf of a luxury hotel chain regarding acquisition and property tax exemptions for a hotel complex in Yeongjong-do.
- Successfully represented BAT Korea Manufacturing in challenging a KRW 50 billion tax assessment related to the timing of tobacco product clearance before a 2015 tax hike.