Seoul

KEY CONTACT

Michael Kim  

Michael Kim
Seoul office managing partner T: + 82 2 6138 4888 M: + 82 10 2005 1690 Email Michael | vCard

General enquiries

T: +82 2 6138 4800
Email

Awards

Winner - The i-law Maritime Law Award

Winner - The i-law Maritime Law Award

Seoul

We have advised our Korean clients on their key business decisions since the late 1970s. The majority of our work involves cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional disputes with international parties. 
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts
  • How to find us
Our global reach and local presence makes us one of the largest law firm practices in the Asia Pacific region.

Our dedicated lawyers represent Korean global corporates, international banks, insurance companies, shipping and shipbuilding and trading companies as well as international insurance establishments which underwrite Korean business.

Over the years we have developed an excellent knowledge of Korean culture and its professional and social ways of life. This experience gives us a deep understanding of the Korean market and how to efficiently progress cases and transactions for our clients. 

We provide a full range of commercial legal services, advising on inbound and outbound investment, contract negotiation, dispute resolution, joint ventures, finance, intellectual property, M&A, shipping and offshore contracts and projects.
 

"He [Michael Kim]is the go-to lawyer in the Korean shipping and shipbuilding industry for complex and substantial cases, (and) he offers proper compromises dealing with the conflicts between commercial realities and legal principles."

Chambers Asia Pacific 2021

 

Applus Velosi 

Advising Applus Velosi in relation to its investment in Velosi Industries and the restructuring of its commercial operations in South Korea.

Defending a US$100 million arbitration claim against a Korean shipbuilder

The legal issue was whether, under the terms of the shipbuilding contract, the shipbuilder could limit its liability to only repair costs and no more.

Drilling vessels

Acting in a dispute concerning delay and disruption costs exceeding US$200 million involving a London arbitration and an appeal that was resolved, successfully for our client, by the Court of Appeal. 

Korean and Japanese shipping companies

Successful applications to the English Chancery Court under the 2006 Cross Border Insolvency Regulations for an order recognising the Korean and Japanese Courts’ Chapter 11 Order for various shipping companies.

Korean securities company

Advising a Korean financial institution in the High Court of Justice in London in a banking dispute for US$24 million over payment of interest coupons in bearer forms.

Largest ever FPSO newbuilding dispute

Advising the Korean shipyard on a claim by a US supermajor for over US$450 million. The claim against the shipyard was ultimately settled at a sum acceptable to both parties.

Major US bank

Advising on documented letter of credit processing and reissuance arrangements between a major US bank and its correspondent bank in Korea.

National Australia Bank Limited 

Advising National Australia Bank Limited on the structuring and documentation of a US$178 million limited recourse financing of 9 aframax tankers to a Korean investment fund.

Sales and purchase disputes

Successfully defended a claim made by a buyer under a memorandum of agreement. A London arbitration tribunal found in the seller’s favour on every point and awarded the seller significant damages.

Syndicated loan facilities

Various pre and post-delivery loan facilities involving junior/senior tranches for LNG carriers, mega container vessels, bulk carrier vessels and VLCCs to be bareboat chartered.

Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund Ltd

Advising on the £105 million AIM IPO (including on Korean preference shares and withholding tax) of this fund investing in listed preferred shares issued by companies incorporated in South Korea.
Michael Kim

Michael Kim Seoul office managing partner

T: + 82 2 6138 4888
M: + 82 10 2005 1690 Email Michael | vCard Office: Seoul

Address

Stephenson Harwood LLP Foreign Legal Consultant Office 
Level 21, TWO IFC
10 Gukjegeumyung-ro
Youngdeungpo-gu
Seoul 07326
Republic of Korea
  
T: +82 2 6138 4800 │F: +82 2 6137 9295

How to find us

  • By car
  • By subway
  • By bus
  • Parking details
If you are driving from northern Seoul, please drive toward Mapo bridge and cross Mapo bridge. In the 2nd intersection from the bridge, turn left. Turn right at the next block to IFC. 

If you are driving from southern Seoul, please drive toward Mapo bridge. As soon as you pass by Yeouido Transfer Centre, turn right. 
 
Get off at Yeouido Station at lines 5 or 9. Take Exit 3 and it will take you to the underground path connected to the IFC mall. 
Take a bus passing Yeouido Transfer Centre and get off at Yeouido Transfer Centre station. 

From Incheon International Airport, take the airport bus 6030 and get off at Conrad Hotel which is located in the IFC block. 
 
Please park your car in the area marked TWO IFC. 

Latest news & insights

12 Dec 2022

From News

Michael Kim named among top ten maritime lawyers

​Seoul office managing partner, Michael Kim, has been named among the top ten maritime lawyers 2022 by leading shipping publication Lloyd's List.​

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22 Dec 2020

From News

Rovine Chandrasekera appointed global head of international arbitration

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has appointed Rovine Chandrasekera global head of its international arbitration practice, effective 1 January 2021.

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12 Dec 2019

From Insights

Chambers success for the Seoul office

We are delighted to announce that for the sixth consecutive year since its foundation the Seoul office has been ranked as Band 1 by Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 for Ship..

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.