Partner
TEL |
+82-2-772-4881 |
E-MAIL |
tongkeun.seol@leeko.com |
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Since joining Lee & Ko in 2010, Tong Keun Seol has focused his practice on matters concerning the environment, labor issues (occupational safety), and ESG. In particular, Mr. Seol has assisted clients in establishing a corporate compliance system that is compliant with applicable EHS (environment, health and safety) regulations, advised on issues concerning environmental regulations (including climate change matters such as emissions trading and CDM, as well as disputes arising from environmental pollution), advised new and renewable energy companies on general corporate matters such as investments, M&A, and restructuring, and advised clients on matters relating to labor law relating to occupational safety and serious accidents.
Education
2008 |
Keimyung University, Graduate School of Climate Change and Research (designated by the Ministry of Environment) |
2001 |
Judicial Research & Training Institute, Supreme Court of Korea |
1999 |
Korea University, Graduate School of Law |
1993 |
Korea University, College of Law – LL.B. |
Work Experience
2010-Present |
Lee & Ko |
2016-Present |
Member, Ministry of Environment Disciplinary Committee |
2015-Present |
Inspector, National Center for Agro Meteorology |
2012-Present |
Member, Seoul Commission on Sustainable Development |
2012-Present |
Director, Seoul Green Trust |
2012-2018 |
Mediator, Seoul Environment Dispute Resolution Commission |
2012-2017 |
Legal Advisor, Ministry of Environment |
2010-Present |
Director, Energy Peace Foundation |
2009-Present |
Secretary, Special Environment Conservation Committee of Seoul Bar Association |
2008-Present |
Legal Advisor, KNREA (Korea New & Renewable Energy Association) |
2016-Present |
Advisor, Environment Policy Committee, Seocho-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City |
2018-Present |
Auditor, Korea NGOs Energy Network |
2020-Present |
Member, Green Citizen Committee, Seoul Metropolitan City |
2018-Present |
Director, Korea Environment Law Association |
Expertise
Environment |
Occupational Safety · Serious Accidents |
Energy · Natural Resources |
Administrative Litigation |
Labor & Employment |
Mergers & Acquisitions |
ESG |
Labor · Employment Litigation |
Admissions
Admitted to bar, Korea(2001) |
Languages
Representative Cases
[Environment, Health & Safety]
- Represented client in a commercial arbitration concerning a dispute regarding CERs issued in relation to Daegu landfill
- Advised Daegu City on sales of CERs in BlueNext, a French emission trading exchange
- Advised Busan Metro on CDM projects
- Advised Seoul Metropolitan City legislate climate change regulations
- Represented Seoul Metropolitan City in litigation concerning damages due to pollution attributable to automobiles
- Advised Muan Environment Treatment Center on SOC matters
- Advised Daecheon Sewage Treatment Plant on SOC matters
- Advised cement companies on Korean Emissions Trading Scheme (cap & trade)
- Advised and represented waste company and steel company on the allocation of greenhouse gas emissions and relating disputes
- Represented S company in criminal and administrative litigations disputing illegal landfill
- Represented K waste incineration company in an administrative litigation
- Represented clients in litigation concerning coal mine flooding and loss attributable to groundwater drying
- Represented N company in criminal and administrative litigation concerning Environmental Impact Assessment
- Represented S company in civil litigation and environmental adjudication before National Environmental Dispute Resolution Commission relating to noise, odor, and snow removal agent made by K company
- Advised legislation of indemnification measures for the humidifier disinfectant victims
- Advised R chemical company on establishing compliance system for chemical substance control
- Represented S company, a foreign investment company, in criminal litigation concerning an alleged violation of the Chemical Substances Control Act
- Advised various clients on the Act on Registration, Evaluation, Etc. of Chemicals (K-REACH)
- Advised S company on chemical leakage accident
- Advised K company in relation to an oil leakage accident
- Advised L company on an alleged violation of the Clean Air Conservation Act
- Advised and represented a client in relation to a dispute and litigation arising from refinery environmental pollution as well as administrative litigation
- Advised clients on the conversion of CERs from foreign CDM projects into Korean Credit Units
- Represented client in environmental dispute mediation and litigation concerning noise and odor nuisance of a chemical plant
- Advised Seoul Metropolitan City to implement the control scheme of the total amount of greenhouse gas emitted from buildings
- Represented K power company in a criminal and administrative litigation concerning violation of the Clean Air Conservation Act
[Labor& Employment]
- Advised L petrochemical company on strike and represented the company on related litigation
- Advised G company on strike and represented the company on related litigation
- Advised H company and other clients on HR issues relating to low-performance employees
- Represented K and H company in severance pay litigation and ordinary wage litigation
[Occupational Safety · Serious Accidents]
- Represented public institutions, including airports and ports, in litigation alleging violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
- Represented H and C construction companies in administrative litigation relating to a serious industrial accident that alleged criminal liabilities and respond to suspension of work
- Represented clients in litigations relating to a oil storage fire accident, and hydrogen tan explosion accident
- Advised subcontractor of E company on a serious industrial accident
- Represented K and M power companies in litigations relating to serious industrial accidents (e.g., coal dust explosion accident and electric-shock accident)
- Represented courier company, display company, and company in litigations relating to serious industrial accidents
- Advised a client on the preparation of a Chemical Substances Control Guide Book and a response manual for chemical accident
- Advised gas company, power company, shipping company, pharmaceuticals, health supplement food company, cosmetics company, construction company on compliance matters relating to occupational safety and serious accidents
[Energy & Natural Resources]
- Advised on landfill power generation projects in the metropolitan area, Daegu, and Daejeon, as well as related CDM issues
- Advised on the pilot project to transform biomethane of the Seonam Environmental Technology Water Recycling Center into vehicle fuel
- Advised LFG power plants in Gumi and Masan on issues concerning CDM projects
- Advised Seoul Amsa Purification Center on the solar farm
- Advised and represented clients on matters concerning Environmental Impact Assessment and litigation relating to approvals for wind farms in locations such as Pyeongchang, Euiseong, etc.
- Represented a client in an administrative litigation regarding approval concerning a solar farm in Namwon
- Advised a fuel cell company on RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) and HPS (Hydrogen Portfolio Standard)
- Advised client on Environmental Impact Assessment and obtaining relevant approvals in relation to coal power plant construction
- Advised client on investing in foreign coal mines in Australia, Mongolia, etc.
[Mergers & Acquisitions]
- Advised T company, a new and renewable energy company, on back-door listing and financing through foreign convertible bonds
- Advised K company, an investment company focusing on reinvestment, acquire and resell Eco Energy, a land fill power plant in the metropolitan area
- Advised selling of H company subject to corporate workout by K bank, etc.
- Advised C company, a company specializing in corporate restructuring, on the acquisition and reselling of an unlisted bakery material company
- Advised A company, a listed company, on a hostile M&A
- Advised a Dutch company on establishing a JV in Korea
- Advised client invest in a cable car company and represented client in subsequent disputes regarding control of the company
- Advised client incorporate and finance a company transporting coal to coal power plants
[ESG]
- Advised selling of H company subject to corporate workout by K bank, etc.
- Advised client on indemnification and recovery of environmental damage near refinery
- Advised Yeosu Industrial Complex on environmental issues
- Advised clients on ESG issues pertaining to procuring parts for electronics
- Advised clients on voluntary participation of RE100
- Advised power plants on reduction of operations to reduce emission of particulate matters and compensation
- Advised Korea Mine Reclamation Corp (MIRECO) as an advisor
- Advised management of Social Contribution Fund of Korea City Gas Association
- Advised setting up and operation of D Scholarship Foundation
Awards and Recognitions
2022 |
Who's who Legal 2022 Leading Lawyer (Environment) |
2020 |
Who's who Legal 2020 Leading Lawyer (Environment) |
2019 |
Who's who Legal 2019 Leading Lawyer (Environment) |
2018 |
Who's who Legal 2018 Leading Lawyer (Environment) |
2017 |
Who's who Legal 2017 Leading Lawyer (Environment) |
2017 |
Korean Bar Association, Attorney of Merit Award |
2007 |
Seoul Reginal Bar Association, Best Attorney Award |
Publications / Presentations / ETC
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction Certification and Additionality (Korean Bar Association Environmental Energy Problem Research Series, 2014)