Established in 1997, Yulchon
is an independent Korean firm with more than 600 professionals and offices in Seoul, Moscow, Shanghai, Yangon, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Jakarta.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is best known for its M&A work and concomitant expertise in financial distress, hostile M&A and shareholder activism. Its capital markets practice has been gaining traction of late as has its finance, private equity and projects teams.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Korea Trade Bank, Korea Development Bank, Hana Bank, Goldman Sachs, TPG, Multi Asset Management, Lotte, IMM, BMW, Nomura Securities, Samsung, Hanwha, CJ, SK, Hyundai Motor, and Korea Electric Power Corporation.
Research period review:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
The banking team continued to be active in the area of capital markets, securities, structured products and derivatives-related transactions. The firm regularly advised banks as lenders as well as corporate borrowers on a wide array of banking work involving bank loans, structured finance, finance-linked derivatives for hedging purposes, asset-backed securitization, real estate finance, acquisition finance, asset finance and project finance.
The corporate team kept busy with complex corporate transactions, restructurings, foreign investments, regulatory matters and legislative support projects. Notable deals included advising Korea Investment & Securities in its stock acquisition of KakaoBank and advising Lotte in the merger of Lotte Confectionery and Lotte Food. The private equity team was also active providing legal services to all issues in matters affecting private equity or venture capital funds.
In the capital markets, the firm was preoccupied with securities issuance, block trades, IPOs and overseas ABS, as well as offshore funds activities.
In the projects sector, the firm was active in both conventional and renewable energy projects and particularly active in handling transactions in southeast Asia.
The firm expanded its team by adding partner Choon Ku Choi, Hyo Jeong Doh, Eun Young Kim, Seong Mun, Se Jin Jung, and foreign attorney Myung Jae Lee.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
BMW Financial Services Korea’s $282 million ABS.
Hyundai Capital’s KRW600 billion issuance of ABS.
Lotte’s merger of Lotte Confectionery and Lotte Food at approximately KRW3.9 trillion.
Korea Investment & Securities’ stock acquisition of KakaoBank in approximately $2.7 billion.
Curious Partners Investment’s KRW1.04 trillion acquisition of drillships under
Samsung Heavy Industries.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
M&A
“Professional attitude.”
“Great value (with the right team). Capable, responsive service.”
“Yulchon analysed the pros and cons of the commercial litigation and gave some opinion about the complementary measures for the litigation.”
“They are very professional. All the partners have very good professional legal knowledge. They have a very good business manner.”
“Yulchon is reliable and cost-efficient.”
“We like their aggressive attitude when assisting us.”
“Very competent expertise and proactive service.”
Insolvency
“Insolvency is their strong area. We usually rely on them when our accounts enter into insolvency proceedings. They always provide us with firm and supportive advice.”
Hyung Ki Lee
“Hyung Ki Lee has a very good understanding of our business and provides practical guidance.”
“Commercially savvy and pragmatic.”
“Offers innovative solutions and proactive support.”
Jin Kook Lee
“Smart and responsive.”
Kim Gun
“Conducts business in a customer-friendly manner.”
Ki Young Kim
“He has the good knowledge and rich experience of the bio-industry and thus provides an exact and precise consulting service.”
Sun Kyoung Kim
“Mr. Kim always provides us with advice on a strategic point of view and also makes sure that all stones are turned over.”
Sy Nae Kim
“Ms. Kim is very responsive, and very quick in catching the big picture in a case. She is very devoted to her cases, which makes us fully rely on our lawyer and consult on every detail.”
Tehyok Daniel Yi
“Responsive and smart.”
“He is very gentle. He has a very good business manner. He is very professional and smart.”
