新着情報

On November 27, 2025, Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group successfully hosted a seminar titled ‘Changes in the IP and Technology Protection Environment in the Era of Technological Innovation and How to Respond.’

Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group’s seminar, celebrating its 11th anniversary of the annual client seminar series starting in 2015, has consistently provided an in-depth exploration of key issues in IP field. This year, the seminar marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of Lee & Ko’s IP Group into the IP & Technology Group, broadening its focus to include not only traditional IP rights but also on a wide array of emerging technology-related matters.

The first part of session centered on dispute response strategies directly relevant to corporate practices. Ms. Yi-Kang Kang opened the session on “Patent and Trade Secret Dispute Response Strategies,” covering methods for securing evidence in technology disputes and the application of punitive damages under patent law. Ms. Shin Sil Choi followed with a discussion on “Responsive Strategies for Unfair Competition Disputes,” analyzing various case law on unauthorized use of achievements under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act and offering corporate response strategies in this regard. The first session concluded with additional presentations by Ms. Soo Yeon Park, who shared “Product Defects, Recalls, and Dispute Response Strategies.” Ms. Park discussed various dispute cases and solutions related to defects in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and household chemicals, while also addressing legal risk management strategies.

The second session featured new regulations and global dispute trends in the era of technical innovation. Mr. Jae Woo Kwak presented on “Recent Trends in AI Technology Regulation and Legal Issues,” covering global AI copyright infringement, defamation, and product liability cases, along with domestic regulations such as the Artificial Intelligence Basic Law. Mr. Ah Hyun Nam delivered “Recent Developments in U.S. ITC and PTAB,” focusing on latest global trends such as the Domestic Industry Requirement at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and Discretionary Denial at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Finally, Mr. Il Gwon Kim spoke on “Latest Trends in Cross-Border Technology Disputes,” exploring cases involving attempts to bypass technological barriers in international transactions and key trends which companies should be aware of.

Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group is one of the leading technical legal expert teams in Korea, comprising approximately 80 intellectual property-specialized attorneys-at-law and around 80 patent attorneys with broad technical expertise in various aspects of IP. The group handles not only traditional IP matters- including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition—but also a wide range of technology-related disputes and advisory work, such as biotechnology, AI and data-related disputes, semiconductors, and healthcare. With its technical expertise and unrivaled experience in the field, Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group provides a comprehensive one-stop legal service tailored to meet the needs of clients in various global IP disputes and related matters.

Lee & Ko’s Aerospace Industry Team co-hosted the 16th “Aerospace Leaders Breakfast Forum” with the Korea Aerospace Industries Association on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.

At the session, Partner Attorney Insoo Lee of Lee & Ko’s Aerospace Industry Team delivered a presentation titled “The Current Landscape and Future Challenges of Aerospace Law.” He provided an overview of international aerospace law and the current domestic legal framework, and further examined key legislative issues and potential improvements, with a particular focus on the Aerospace Industry Development Promotion Act and the Space Development Promotion Act. He concluded by addressing potential future legal disputes in the aerospace sector and offering recommendations for stakeholder preparedness.

Lee & Ko established its Aerospace Industry Team in February 2024, becoming the first major law firm in Korea to do so. The team was launched in anticipation of the establishment of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) and now provides comprehensive legal services across regulatory matters, public procurement, legislative consulting, intellectual property, and international trade issues relating to the aerospace industry.

On Wednesday, November 19, Lee & Ko co-hosted a seminar titled "Trademark and Patent Law Essentials Every In-House Counsel Should Know" with the Korea In-house Counsel Association (KICA).

The seminar began with a welcome address by Mr. Un Ho Kim of Lee & Ko, and proceeded with two dedicated sessions on patent and trademark law tailored for in-house counsel, followed by a Q&A session.

The first session, presented by Ms. Eun Woo Lee of Lee & Ko, focused on "Trademark Law Essentials Every In-House Counsel Should Know." She discussed key considerations for trademark owners and users in the event of disputes, as well as strategies for securing and managing trademark rights.

The second session was delivered by Ms. Kyung Jin Kim of Lee & Ko, who spoke on "Patent Law Essentials Every In-House Counsel Should Know." Her presentation covered patent filing and registration procedures, patent trials and patent litigation, and pre- and post-dispute prevention strategies.

Lee & Ko’s IP & Technology Group is one of the leading technical legal expert teams in Korea, comprising approximately 80 intellectual property-specialized attorneys-at-law and around 80 patent attorneys with broad technical expertise across various fields. The group handles not only traditional IP matters—including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition—but also a wide range of technology-related disputes and advisory work, such as product liability, product defect claims, medical devices, biotechnology, semiconductors, automobiles, software development disputes, AI and data-related disputes, and disputes involving manufacturing facilities. Drawing on extensive practical experience and expertise related to technology disputes, the group will continue to provide in-house counsel with the highest level of comprehensive legal services tailored to their needs.

Lee & Ko hosted its 11th M&A Forum on October 30, 2025, marking another successful year of this annual event. 

Since its inception in 2015, the Lee & Ko M&A Forum has served as a platform for introducing the latest issues in the M&A field and sharing Lee & Ko’s accumulated expertise with professionals in the industry. This year, the event once again received an enthusiastic response, with more than 500 M&A practitioners and corporate representatives participating both online and offline.

In Session 1 of the Forum, Partner Attorneys Dajoo Jung and Sejoong Lee presented on the topic of “Recent Trends in Corporate Control Disputes and Amendments to the Commercial Code.” They outlined the growing trend of control disputes arising amid the spread of shareholder activism and examined the potential impact of the recent amendments to the Commercial Code on such disputes, while also presenting practical strategies for corporate responses. By linking the highly discussed topic of the Commercial Code reform with corporate control disputes, the session drew strong attention and positive feedback from participants.

Session 2 featured Partner Attorney Hyung Soo Lee and Foreign Attorney Seung Hyo Baek, who presented “Recent Trends and Key Issues in Overseas Investment: Focus on Brownfield and Greenfield Projects.” They discussed recent developments in cross-border M&A, reviewing overseas investment trends over the past five years by distinguishing between Brownfield and Greenfield investments, and highlighting their respective characteristics and key considerations. The session concluded with additional presentations by Yun A Kang, Head of Lee & Ko’s Beijing Office, Jae Hoon Choi, Head of the Japan Team, and Woongryol Baek, Head of the Vietnam Office, who shared updates on regulatory trends and practical responses in the U.S., EU, China, Japan, and Vietnam, drawing strong interest from participants engaged in or preparing for cross-border M&A transactions.

Now in its 11th year, the remarkable attention and response that the Lee & Ko M&A Forum continues to receive from M&A professionals stem from our clients’ appreciation of the Forum’s well-prepared, insightful, and timely discussions led by the Lee & Ko M&A team.

Looking ahead, Lee & Ko’s Corporate Practice Group will continue its efforts to ensure that the M&A Forum remains a meaningful and insightful platform for M&A practitioners and corporate professionals in Korea.

On 27 October 2025, Lee & Ko successfully hosted a seminar titled ‘The First 100 Days After A Dispute Arises: Settlement, Evidence, Forums, and Strategy’ during the Seoul ADR Festival 2025. Recognizing that early moves during the first 100 days of a cross-border dispute can determine the trajectory of the entire case, the seminar brought together seasoned dispute resolution specialists to share tactical insights on how parties can put their case on the strongest footing and seize the initiative before momentum is lost.

The seminar commenced with Opening Remarks and an Introduction by Dr. Eun Young Park, Head of the Global Disputes Group at Lee & Ko. The program featured two insightful panel discussions that explored key issues arising in the early stages of cross-border disputes.

In the first session, a panel discussion was held under the theme “Early Leverage: Emergency Relief and Settlement Strategies.”  The discussion was moderated by Zac Sharpe (Lee & Ko) and featured a panel consisting of Julian Bailey (Jones Day), Nakul Dewan KC (Twenty Essex), Hyunyang Koo (Lee & Ko), and Young Shin Um (KCAB). The panel shared meaningful insights on the practical viability of seeking early emergency relief in arbitral proceedings through courts and emergency arbitrators, the use of various methods of dispute resolution including consultations and mediation, as well as early settlement tactics taking into consideration factors such as the possibility of adverse cost awards and differing positions on without-prejudice privilege between jurisdictions. 

The second session, titled “Laying the Groundwork: Evidence, Strategy, and Tribunal Formation,” was moderated by Dr. Eun Young Park (Lee & Ko), and featured a panel consisting of Elodie Dulac (King & Spalding), Peter Turner KC (39 Essex Chambers), Han-Earl Woo (Lee & Ko), and Bami Yoo (Lee & Ko). This session addressed the necessary qualities of an arbitrator and the relationship between an arbitrator’s legal background and legal reasoning from the perspective of both counsel and arbitrator. The panelists also discussed practical tips and protocols for document retention, evidence gathering and the application of privilege with particular emphasis on the Korean context. 

The seminar was well received by in-house counsel and foreign law firm practitioners, as it offered practical perspectives on various early-stage strategies that parties can effectively utilize when a dispute arises.

On August 27, 2025, Lee & Ko successfully hosted a seminar titled “Analysis and Outlook on the Yellow Envelope Act”. The event provided a comprehensive examination of the proposed amendments to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act and their implications for businesses.

The seminar commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Kyung-Duk An, Senior Advisor and former Minister of Employment and Labor, setting the stage for an insightful discussion. The program featured two key sessions, followed by an interactive Q&A segment.

Session 1: Analysis of Labor-Related National Policy Agendas

Mr. Min-Seok Si, Head of Lee & Ko’s ESG Center, delivered a presentation on the new administration’s labor policy priorities. The session outlined six critical areas:
1.Reduction of actual working hours, annual leave reforms, and the comprehensive wage system.
2.Establishment of a fair wage system.
3.Extension of retirement age, pension reform, and prevention of wage arrears.
4.Expansion of labor law coverage.
5.Promotion of industry-wide bargaining and broader application of collective agreements.
6.Strengthening occupational safety and health frameworks.
Mr. Si provided a detailed analysis of the interconnections among these priorities and their potential impact on businesses.

Session 2: Analysis and Outlook of the Yellow Envelope Act

Mr. Jae-In Roh of Lee & Ko presented an in-depth overview of the Yellow Envelope Act, covering its conceptual framework, legislative history, and key provisions of the amended Act. The session also addressed the expected implications of the Act’s enactment, potential follow-up measures, and practical considerations for corporate compliance.

Q&A Session

The seminar concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, featuring Mr. Min-Seok Si, alongside Lee & Ko Attorneys Mr. Chang-Soo Jin, Hyun-Seok Song, and Jae-In Roh. The panel addressed pre-submitted and live questions from both in-person and online attendees, fostering a robust exchange of ideas.

This seminar provided in-house legal and HR professionals with valuable insights into the proposed amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate upcoming regulatory changes effectively.

A video recording of the seminar will be made available shortly.