Category: Legal Law

In June 2025, Korea took another step toward building a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets by passing the Digital Asset Basic Act of Korea (DABA). This DABA, once fully implemented, will complement the Korean Virtual Asset User Protection Act (VAUPA) and create clearer licensing, reserve, and operational obligations for stablecoin issuers and other digital […]

Minority shareholders in Korea often find themselves navigating a Korean corporate environment dominated by controlling families, holding companies, savvy sharks, and complicated chaebol structures. The situation seems daunting, but with recent changes to Korean Law, minority shareholders have more avenues to redress controlling shareholder/management issues. The Korean Commercial Act (KCA), supplemented by the Capital Markets […]

IPG Legal is one of the leading Korean law firms assisting families residing globally in Korean Adult Guardianship, Korean Inheritance, Korean Estate Planning, and Korean Inheritance Tax Matters. Increasingly, the Korean Guardianship System is being utilized to resolve complex and contentious corporate management disputes. Adult Guardianship as a Tool to Resolve Korean Company Management Disputes […]

In a significant decision in Korea addressing the balance between public safety and individual rights, the Constitutional Court of Korea has upheld the constitutionality of a provision in the Korean Road Traffic Act that imposes a two-year license disqualification for individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) two or more times. Please see Defense […]

The Supreme Court of South Korea has issued a landmark ruling requiring Samsung C&T to fulfill its collective bargaining obligations under law with the Samsung branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (“Samsung Union”) for the period between 2011 and 2020. This decision clarifies the invalidity of the “Everland Union,” a counter-union created by Samsung […]

A Korean appellate court ruled that a hospital employee who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome and nerve paralysis after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine should be recognized as having suffered an occupational injury that is compensable under Korea’s Workers’ Compensation Benefit System. The Seoul High Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiff in an appeal of a lawsuit […]

We shall, under the President Lee Administration, see more labor-friendly laws and policies. Here is a list of the most noteworthy issues that are being talked about among the legal and business communities in Korea. For more articles on Korean Labor Law, please see: IPG Legal’s Labor & Employment Law Archive. Korean Labor Policy Changes […]

We see too many Korean lawyers not proactively utilizing every tool legally available to regain physical custody of a child abducted by a parent to Korea, thus leading to delay and often negative results. In most cases, a helpful tool is to file a Hague Return Request and/or a Family Court case along with a […]

In a pivotal Korean Corporate Governance precedent, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that if a company violates a “voting rights agreement” and appoints additional directors in violation of that agreement, the other party’s request to dismiss the additional directors appointed in violation of the agreement should be accepted by Korean courts. The Korean Supreme […]

Avvo, a website that eases the challenge of finding the right lawyer, rated Sean Hayes at the top with the highest achievable score. This superb rating is significant in the fact that it is determined after taking various factors into consideration: experience, background, legal community recognition, legal thought leadership and discipline. Reiterating a little bit […]

Korea, in short, has two major types of liens – Commercial Liens and a Civil Liens.  For example, in a dispute between a contractor and a landowner or developer, a contractor make execute a Commercial Lien or Civil Lien.  A Commercial Lien is governed by the Korean Commercial Code while a Civil Lien is governed […]

So you want to expand into China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia (Asia)? We here at IPG suggest considering Seoul, Korea as a Test Bed for your Asian expansion. The following article’s focus is on Luxury Goods and Fintech, but IPG believes that the Korean Market is, also, an excellent stepping-off point for other industries including […]

On January 9, 2020, the National Assembly of Korea passed the “Three Data Act” of Korea. Implementation of the Act shall begin in June of 2020. The Korean Three Data Act iterates protections for, in general: personal information; information and communication; and business & individual credit information. IPG shall be writing more on this data […]

I just got my hands on the ABA’s book entitled Covenants Against Competition in Franchise Agreements edited by Michael R. Gray and Natalma M. McKnew. We work with a number of Korean and Chinese franchisors and I found the book an excellent tool for the tailoring of our franchise agreements to the specific States.  The […]

The Korean government’s “2020 Smart Challenge” is officially rolling out with the Act on the Promotion of Smart City Development and Industry of Korea. The Act is coming into effect on Feb. 27, 2020. The Korean government is, specifically, launching three separate projects called: Korean City Challenge Open to large, SMEs and startup companies. Intended […]

The period of the Korean statute of limitation varies based on the type of wrong/breach, type of parties to the case, and details of the matter. The list below is a non-exclusive list of the major Korean Statute of Limitations. The following is an overview of the major periods of the statute of limitations in Korea. […]

IPG, over the next couple of weeks, shall be updating readers of the The Korean Law Blog on issues concerning arbitration in Korea and against Korean companies. We have posted over a dozen articles to date. We shall be posting more article on arbitration over the next couple of weeks. This present post is simply […]

IPG’s Korean Office was awarded the distinction as the Korea Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the year by a well-known international business journal in the United Kingdom. The journal is known for producing tailored news and guides for multinational companies doing business in Asia, North America, and Europe. Update: IPG received this designation from 2020 […]

IPG is one of the leading Korean law firms retained for international arbitration matters by multinational companies in need of efficient, proactive, and non-conflicted advocacy in Korea, North America, and East Asia. IPG was recently ranked as a top Dispute Resolution Law Firm and Sean Hayes is, consistently, ranked a Top 100 Attorney in Korea. […]

IPG has numerous client-employers in Korea that are facing serious economic conditions because of the spread of the coronavirus across Korea. In my nearly two decades, in Korea, we have never seen such a dire situation. This situation seems, on its face, even more dire for those in F & B and certain manufacturing sectors […]

Korean Free Economic Zones (KFEZs) are specially designated areas designed to improve the business and living environments for foreign firms looking to invest in Korea. In 2003, Korea’s very first KFEZ was launched in Incheon following the passing of the adoption of the “Act on Designation and Management of the Free Economic Zones.” Since then […]

There are numerous Korean labor and employment laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against their employees in a Korean workplace. These Korean workplace discrimination laws are found in a myriad of Korean statutes and regulations. This article on Korea’s discrimination laws shall provide a quick guide as to where employers and employees can locate the […]

IPG is proud to announce that Sean Hayes received the highest rating from AVVO. Avvo is an American attorney rating site and information portal. AVVO is one of the largest and most respected attorney rating sites in the United States. Sean, frequently, receives top ratings from legal rating services for his international law work. His […]

From changes a couple of years ago in the computer system and policy of the Korean Immigration Services, even if the Korean prosecution/police have not requested that an accused be placed on an International Hold, some records of police investigations, indictments, and proposed fines and sentences by the prosecution/police are being reported to the Korean […]

The bill on the Amendment to the Korean Act on the Management of Civilian Personnel in the Military Service (hereinafter as “Amendment to the Act on Civilian Personnel in the Military Service” or “Act”) was passed by the Korean National Assembly on March 28, 2019. The Act is intended to improve the financial and work-related […]

In early April 2019 the Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee proposed an Amendment to the Immigration Act of Korea , with the facial purpose of implement more supportive regulations to assist foreign children that are victims of child abuse. Please note, unlike in the United States and some other Western countries, being born […]

For those who may not know, cryptocurrencies/virtual assets (the best known of them, at the moment, is Bitcoin), are digital representations of value that can be digitally traded or transferred. When holders are using these currencies the transaction, in short, the use is via Blockchains (in short, a decentralized databases). South Korea has been at the […]

Because of increased tax liabilities of many companies in Korea and because of perceived deteriorating market conditions, the Korean government implemented programs that may assist some SMEs, and larger companies doing business in Korea. Numerous conditions apply for each of these incentive/abatement tax programs below. The following is, only, intended as a basic explanation of […]

If Korea deems a foreign-incorporated company a Domestic Corporation, the company shall be taxed on its worldwide income. The relevant law, this determination is made under, is the Corporate Tax Act of Korea (“CTA”). In the typical case, the National Tax Service of Korea designates the foreign-incorporated company as a Domestic Corporation and requests details […]

Many of you are prospectively weighing the options of executing contracts with and without arbitration clauses in Korean contracts (aka setting yourself up for prospective litigation battles in Korean courts or resolving a dispute in Korea with the help of an arbitration panel). Thus, this article is intended to consider the option of arbitration over […]

In our last post we discussed, at length, the benefits of arbitration in Korea over litigation in a Korean court. We shall be updating the reader of numerous issues related to arbitration over the next couple of weeks. The following posts concerns challenging of an arbitrator at the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board. Thus, what happens […]

An IPG Legal attorney was quoted by the Korea Times in a case in which a U.S. Army Veteran was negligently shot by a Korean police officer. IPG Legal prevailed in obtaining a civil damages award and also persuading the Korean Prosecution to indict the police officer responsible for the injuries. For a prior article […]

Korean Arbitration has come a long way since the ratification of the New York Convention in 1973. The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB) went from a small organization handling a handful of cases to, now, an organization handling hundred of arbitration cases each year. The number of international arbitrations is, also, on the rise. This […]

Regrettably, many Korean insurance companies, in Korea, are less than generous in offering settlements to unrepresented parties in injuries sustained by car, trucks, taxis and trucks. The various Taxi Associations’ insurance coverages are, particularly, notorious. The Korean insurance companies utilize an internal calculation method that leads to a settlement compensation amount that, often, are laughable […]

All good Korean attorneys prepare all clients for witness questioning & suspect interrogations in Korea. Clients may be subpoenaed to appear in a Korean police office, Korean prosecutors office or to appear as a witness or a criminal defendant in a Korean Court and should be thoroughly prepared by their attorneys. We at IPG, hear of […]

Korea’s Immigration Services has increased enforcement/deportation actions against foreigners convicted of crimes.  Upon exit from Korea, the Immigration Service has been instructing individuals to report to Immigration with the written judgment and confirmation that the fine (if any) was paid in full.  These records may be obtained from the Prosecutor’s Office. We advise reporting to […]

The double jeopardy protection afforded by the Korean Constitution in Article 13 is applied in a different manner than in, most, common law nations. The application of Double Jeopardy, in Korea, allows the prosecution to have three chances to obtain a guilty verdict. Double Jeopardy in United States versus in South KoreaIn the United States, […]

Prior to going into any relationship with a distributor/agent in Korea, please read my post entitled: Finding a Korean Distributor: The Top 10 Things to Know Before Going to Bed with a Distributor in Korea. Please read that post in combination with this post, prior to engaging a distributor or a Korean Agent. We see […]

For any company engaged in negotiations, agreements, pre-M & A due diligence, OEM outsourcing or other activities with a Korean business or individuals that may lead to you disclosing your companies intellectual property, know-how or other proprietary information, always include in your no-competition, non-use, non-circumvention and non-compete agreements a liquidated damages (Penalty Damages) clause.  Without a […]

Prior to going into any relationship with a distributor/agent in Korea, please read my post entitled: Finding a Korean Distributor: The Top 10 Things to Know Before Going to Bed with a Distributor in Korea. Please read that post in combination with this post, prior to engaging a distributor in Korea. We see too many Korean distribution […]

A recent amendment of the Korean Civil Procedure Act added Article 217-2 came into effect.  The Amendment to the Civil Procedure Act of Korea has codified a holding by the Seoul Central District Court and other Korean courts noting, in part, that Korean Courts may refuse to “recognize foreign damage awards that clearly exceed amounts […]

In many cases of termination of a distribution/agent agreement in Korea compensation must be paid to the commission agent.  In many cases, the same rules are applied to distributors.  The law on the termination of Commission Agent-type agreement is governed, mainly, by the Commercial Act of Korea and its enforcement decrees.  Korea law does not facially […]

As a NY attorney, it’s a bit strange for me to read a Korean contract and see how the word “penalty” is used.  In the United States (as well as other common law jurisdictions), when a contract contains a “penalty,” the clause is, often, invalidated. Korea, however, allows some “penalties” in contracts. Cutting to the […]

A party attempting to collect on a debt or potential liability based on breach of contract or torts in Korea may obtain a Provisional Attachment of an Asset. Another useful tool to expedite proceeding in a Korean civil matter is to Obtain a Payment Order from a Korean Court.  A provisional attachment is considered provisional, since […]

In all Korean criminal defense cases where you are accused of a Korean crime, you fear that you may be sentenced to time in jail, may be deported or the conviction may harm your future, hire quickly an experienced and proactive English-Fluent Korean criminal defense lawyer prior to any interrogations by the Korean police or […]

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&As) lead to disputes around the world, many of which are complex and involve money that may change substantially the future of a company, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. Korea is no different in this respect. Korea witnessed the number of its cross-border transaction disputes explode during the 1997 IMF crisis and […]

This is an older article we posted nearly eight years ago.  However, we fear the same is occurring today. Inflation may be a serious issue for Korea in the next couple of years.  The Korea Times has reported that stagnant wages and food inflation is leading to “Screwflation” in Korea.  This phenomenon is a potential […]

This law firm’s U.S. lawyers handle EEOC Korean complaints from our office in Korea; Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) appeals from Korea; grievances under the Negotiated Grievance Procedure from Korea; complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); lawsuits in U.S. federal court for federal employees working at Yongsan, Camp Humphreys, Area I and throughout the […]

Intending to execute a joint venture agreement with a Korean company? Buying a Korean company? Licensing technology to a Korean company? OEM with a Korean supplier? Selling to a Korean company?Before going to bed with a Korean company (or individual) do a little due diligence.  The motivation for this article is an article by my […]

We obtain numerous emails and calls from potential clients in search of a great Korean lawyer for companies doing business in Korea.  The majority of these intakes come from referrals from present clients, referrals from other lawyers and a couple trickle in via this blog. From our contacts, we believe that many businesses in Korea […]

We assist numerous clients concerning intestate succession issues in Korea. Many of these clients are foreigners who are children of a Korean decedent who passed away without a will. Typically, the clients are in need of an asset scrub and assistance in the transfer of the assets to the name of the client and forwarding […]

Korea’s minimum wage as per the Korean Minimum Wage Act in 2019 is determined by the Minister of Employment & Labor as KRW 8,350 per hour. The latest decisions of the Supreme Court developed a calculation standard/method for determining an hourly wage rate that is not in line with the opinion of the Ministry of […]

The Korean Special Act on Fine Dust Abatement and Management (hereinafter as “Special Act on Fine Dust”) entered into force on February 15, 2019. The law, primarily, focus is restricting producers of fine dust to reduce the fine dust level in Korea. The Special Act on Fine Dust defines different types of dust and enables […]

Unlike some Asian countries that do not allow or strictly limit foreign ownership of real properties, South Korea has a buoyant market that permits foreigners to purchase real estate and even land in Korea. The major restrictions on ownership of real estate for non-Koreans were lifted during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis based on the […]

Over the next couple of months, lawyers here at IPG Legal shall provide detailed insight and analysis of the Patent Laws of Korea. The following post details the basics of filing for a patent in South Korea. For other articles on patents please see Patent Developments of 2022 and Validity of a Patent and Patent […]

It isn’t just foreign companies that have a robust history with Korea’s militant labor unions. The troubles of GM Korea and SsangYong Motors have been well documented over the last decade. This week SsangYong Motors finally succumbed to the pressures of the Korean market. The company filed for bankruptcy after defaulting on loan repayments of […]

This week a bill was submitted by Korean politicians to make the deportation process easier for the Korean government to deport foreign nationals accused of submitting false testing information for COVID-19. The COVID pandemic remains an emotive issue in Korea as cases have been steadily rising domestically over this Winter season. Political leaders, within Korea, […]

The Korean Times, recently, reported that the Ministry of Justice is looking at changes to the Immigration System to allow single parents to remain in South Korea with their adult children. The proposed changes are significant as it allows the provision for foreign residents to remain in the country provided they meet specific benchmarks for […]

2020 has been a tough year and we look forward to working with you in 2021 to celebrate your success. Happy New Year! Similar Posts: Happy New Year to all our clients, family, and friends! Happy Lunar New Year from IPG Legal Happy Lunar New Year from IPG Legal Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & a […]

In a historic ruling made by a South Korean court on January 8, 2021, it awarded 100 million won or around US$90,000 damages to each 12 plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are a group of former 12 Korean “comfort women” who were employed as sex workers in brothels during the Japanese occupation that spans from 1910 until […]

Class action lawsuits in South Korea are currently available in two types of civil cases: (1) under the Securities-Related Class Action Act of Korea (derivative/shareholder suits); and (2) in certain limited product liability matters under the Consumer Act of Korea. A bill that seeks to expand the scope of class actions into other areas, aside […]

Sean C. Hayes and the team at IPG Legal field many inquiries from international clients for assistance with inheritance issues in South Korea. Many clients that we talk with are children of Korean descendants who have passed away without a will. For an article on Korean estate taxes, please See Korean Inheritance Taxes. This week […]

Koreans have been forced into the realm of digital deliveries and contactless payment options due to the global pandemic. The change in conditions shall, likely, lead to more criminals looking to take advantage of this situation. Foreigners and international companies potentially could be exposed to significant risks from data and identity theft in Korea as […]

As we’ve mentioned in our previous post “Obtaining Child Support from a Deadbeat Korean Father (Mother)”, for the past few years we noticed a huge increase in children born out-of-wedlock from foreign national mothers and Korean fathers. And because of this incident Korean courts, also, witnessed rising lawsuits seeking child support against Korean fathers in […]

Despite the economic challenges presented by the COVID pandemic, there are still plenty of opportunities for start-up companies in South Korea. Many of the long-term foreign attorneys in Korea shall advise that South Korea remains a perfect testbed for foreign companies in the East Asian marketplace. Local and national governments remain committed to fostering long-term […]

Adhesion Contract is a contract drafted by a party with stronger bargaining power and signed by a party with lesser bargaining power. The party that has weaker bargaining power does not have the capacity to negotiate the terms and conditions of the contract and they just adhere completely to what the party with the upper […]

The Korean National Assembly passed a proposal by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (“MOEF Korea”) and the the Ministry of Interior and Safety related to Taxation of Businesses and Individuals at the end of 2020. The Amendments shall take effect in 2021. The following is a summary of the major amendments to Korea’s Tax […]

The Ministry of Economy and Finance confirmed that on the 1st of January 2022, profit from cryptocurrencies shall be subject to a 20% tax. And gifts and inheritance in the form of cryptocurrencies shall be taxed by the same rate of 20%. Exempted from Cryptocurrency Tax Any profit, gift and/or inheritance worth 2.5 million won […]

Korean established a new investigative unit with the independent power to investigate High-Ranking Public Officials, family members of High-Ranking Public Officials and those associated in alleged crimes with High-Ranking Public Officials. This office shall be called the Corruption Investigation Office (“CIO”) for High-Ranking Public Officials. This independent investigative agency’s scope of power includes the investigation […]

South Korea has various legislation that protect and give rewards to whistleblowers: Act on the Prevention of Corruption, Tax Whistleblower Reward Program, and Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers. But for this article, we are going to focus on the Act on the Protection of Public Interest Whistleblowers (“Act”) which took effect on […]

Korean Severance pay (retirement pay) is the compensation that an employee in Korea is entitled to receive from his employer doing business in Korea once the employment has ended. Under the Korean Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act, a regular full-time employee in South Korea shall receive severance pay within 14 days from termination of employment. […]

Divorce in South Korea is governed by Korea’s Civil Code and it is divided into two types. The first one is uncontested divorces which are also known as a “divorce by agreement.” This type of divorce, as the name implies, requires agreement of the husband and wife that they wish to divorce. The second type […]

The Ministry of Employment and Labor of South Korea has increased the minimum hourly wage by 1.5% for 2021 to KRW 8,720.00 compared to the 2020 minimum hourly wage of KRW 8,590.00. This new minimum hourly wage took effect on January 01, 2021. Moreover, in accordance with the hourly wage increase, the new minimum monthly […]

On March 8, 2021, Minister Park Beom Kye of the Ministry of Justice made an announcement that the online visit reservation system shall be implemented in all Immigration Offices starting April 1, 2021. We believe this system shall expedite the visa processing system. According to the Ministry of Justice, this system shall not, only, reduce […]

The Korean National Assembly passed a proposal by the Ministry of Economy & Finance and the Ministry of Interior & Safety related to Taxation of Businesses and Individuals in December of 2020. The Amendments shall take effect in 2021. The following is a summary of the major amendments to Korea’s Tax Code and regulations related […]

The Korean Intellectual Property Office made an announcement that South Korea has surpassed Germany and became the number four country in the world in international patent application to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The first spot is taken by China, followed by U.S. and Japan for the second place and third place respectively. Last […]

Korea’s Whistleblower Protection Act is, often, criticized for having a too limited scope, since it narrowly covered specific iterated Korean government statutes. Thus, many in Korea have pushed for an expansion of the law to cover a more broad range of Korean laws. With this reality in mind, the Korean Whistleblower Protection Act was expanded […]

The Korean Commercial Code (“KCC”) was amended to provide more protection for certain minority shareholders. The amended KCC came into effect at the end of 2020. We wrote many other articles on Minority Shareholder Rights including: Listen to My Mother (JV Basics). Major Changes to the Korean Commercial Code Related to Minority Shareholder Rights The […]

“Think before you click” is a social media campaign in Korea. Please note the truth is not an absolute defense to defamation in Korea. Additionally, defamation can lead to civil and criminal liability. The following article details Defamation Crimes and potential penalties. If you are interested to read more about defamation, please read our other […]

Criminal assault cases involving members of the foreign community are serious business in Korea. The case of the Belgian Ambassador’s wife highlights the importance of engaging an experienced English-speaking criminal attorney. It was reported, that the Belgian Ambassador was recalled after his wife was caught in a second assault altercation. In May of this year, […]

If you are issued a deportation order or exit order by the Korean Immigration Service, you still have avenues to reverse this Korean deportation order or exit order, however, time is ticking. The main thing you need to, do immediately, is contact an experienced and proactive Korean Immigration Lawyer and get the Korean lawyer all information […]

The Social Security Totalization Agreement (“Agreement”) works by assigning social security coverage and, in turn, tax liability, to only one country, as determined by the rules of the particular agreement. Thus, these agreements allow you, in short, to avoid double taxation on the same earnings. The United States and South Korea executed a Totalization Agreement. Specific […]

Casinos and sports betting remain a risky venture within South Korea for locals and foreigners wanting to gamble online. Gambling is still strictly taboo amongst South Koreans, as the majority of land-based casinos cater to tourists and long-term expatriates residents. South Koreans are subject to strict gambling regulations. Koreans are limited to visiting Kangwon Land […]

On March 1, 2013, South Korea adopted and ratified The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (concluded 25 October 1980). The main goal of the Hague Child Abduction Treaty is to protect children under the age of 16 from being illegally removed or wrongfully retained in a signatory state. The Hague […]

The Korean Ministry for Justice (“MOJ”) announced it is relaxing passport restrictions for foreign residents in South Korea. Under the new guidelines from the MOJ, long-term foreign residents shall be allowed to stay in the country after their passport expires. The MOJ announced it was giving foreign nationals in Korea an amnesty period until June 2022. Foreign […]

Many foreigners, both companies and individuals, seek our advice on how they can effectively collect debts from debtors with assets, businesses and/or residences in Korea. The following article details the major means of collecting on a debt in Korea. Collecting a Debt in South Korea from a Korean Debtor Hire an Experienced English-Speaking Korean Law […]

Long term foreign residents will note that the Korean Constitutional Court has upheld the rule banning the use of cellphones while driving. The court ruling stipulates that the ban isn’t a violation of the Korean Constitution. Using cellphones while driving increases the risk of traffic accident and should be banned to protect the life, body, […]

Last week’s Recap of the Top Legal Headlines in South Korea for the week of July 12, 2021: You may also schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer if you have questions and other legal concerns in South Korea: Please Schedule a Call with an Attorney. Latest Posts: Similar Posts: Like this: Like Loading… Related

The Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) is a U.S. government agency protecting the rights of US employees. US Federal employees in South Korea are entitled to the same protections, under U.S. Law as employees based in the United States. The United States attorneys at IPG Legal have extensive experience handling appeal matters at the Merit […]

In an article that appeared in The Register, it was reported that legislators in Korea are proposing a law that aims to break the monopolies of App Stores such as Google and Apple. In-app purchase (IAP) is defined by Real Simple as “any fee (beyond the initial cost of downloading the app, if there is […]

The global success of BTS hasn’t gone unnoticed in the US, as Korea remains an excellent market for foreign companies actively pursuing content partnerships in Asia. Over the last decade, IPG Legal has built significant relationships with major entertainment companies in Korea and abroad and worked on several international collaborations. British singer Ed Sheeran is […]

Korean Teacher gets suspended sentence for homework assignment Optimus Asset Management CEO sentenced in Korean Fraud Scandal Google Anti-Trust :aw set to come in effect in South Korea Korean Government claims that tenant protection laws are providing benefits South Korea tightens cryptocurrency regulations You may schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer at: Please […]

South Korea tables law to remove app stores’ in-app purchase monopolies Korean parliament set to allow direct seizure of crypto assets Anti-Google law gaining strong support from US business groups in Korea Korean crypto exchanges set to come under extra pressure from authorities Employers set to be punished with imprisonment over workplace disasters You may […]

Korean Telecos winning the war against Netflix in the streaming battle New Fake news law set to damage press freedom FTC investigates Korean Bar Association over law talk ban Supreme Court upholads fine for Nissan Korea Korean government to compensate nurse paralysed by COVID shot You may schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer […]

IPG Legal won a release for an American national in an extradition case pending in a U.S. Federal Court by obtaining the Re-Opening of a Finalized Judgment in Korea and obtaining the release of the American national on bail. The American Defendant was held in a jail in America for over seven months until retention of […]

For many years, the Korean market has been synonymous with protectionism in many foreign marketers’ minds.However, with the advent of a strong middle class and its successful struggle to gain a genuine democracy during the past two decades, many of the trade barriers have fallen. As more foreign products and services have become integrated into […]

Procedural Arbitration rules are key to the efficient and effective adjudication of arbitration disputes in Korea and, also, worldwide.  These arbitration rules govern and set out the framework for the arbitration process. Evidence gathering and presentation are important aspects of the above procedure, and yet, institutional and ad hoc rules that provide arbitration guidelines on […]

Samsung leader Jay Y Lee wins parole from prison South Korean school teacher sentenced in Bitcoin assault case Korean politicans to amend sex crime laws criminalising semen terrorism Press freedom to nose dive after Korean parliament introduces fake news bill Former government official wins discrimination case against Korean government You may schedule a free initial […]

Many Korean law firms have been willing to work in relationships based on a non-time charge flat fee or contingency basis for Korean clients. However, many of these law firms in Korea have been unwilling to work on alternative fee arrangements with non-Korean clients, because of, among other things, the requirement to represent the client […]

With several major international companies now calling Seoul home and many international construction contracts choosing Seoul as the venue for arbitration, international arbitration matters are on the rise in Korea. American, Australian, British, Chinese, Indian, German have expanded their interest in the growing Korean market. International conglomerates in Korea have long understood the value of […]

A language supremacy clause dictates what language governs the interpretation of a contract. Many international contracts are drafted in multiple languages. However, because of the complexity of legal terms, lack of precision in certain languages, the nature of language translation, and other local realities it is best to choose a governing language to avoid the […]

One of the most substantial changes in the powers between the Prosecutors’ Office and Police Office was enacted by the Korean National Assembly through amendments to the Korean Criminal Procedure Act and Prosecutors’ Office Act. These Amendments were made to the Criminal Procedure Act of Korea and the Prosecutors’ Office Act of Korea which shall […]

Korea, the Land of Perpetual Crisis, is facing yet another crossroads — this time Korean the focus is on renewed challenges facing manufacturing. The weakening Japanese yen together with the growing strength of Chinese manufacturing, not to mention rising costs of local labor, is placing Korea once again as the proverbial shrimp positioned between the […]

Our New York office’s managing partner, Attorney Sean Hayes is representing, pro bono, the family of Carlos Lopez who was killed in 2003 by NYPD. According to the family of Mr. Lopez, NYPD undercover police officers responding to a shooting mistook Mr. Lopez as the perpetrator of the shooting. Witnesses noted that Mr. Lopez was […]

Sean Hayes is the first non-Korean employed as a foreign attorney by the Korean Court System (Constitutional Court of Korea) and one of the first non-Koreans to be a full-time regular member of a Korean law faculty. He is rated a Top Attorney by numerous legal rating agencies and is known for his street-smart advice, […]

We receive emails, regularly, requesting advice on the protection of IP rights in Korea and China. Most of the issues I addressed in this blog come from these questions. I realized, after writing over 1000 posts on this blog, that I never drafted a post on trade secrets. So here we go.   Definition of a […]

Korea has one of the most capricious and least efficient labor forces in the world (which the exception of a few industries) and China is catching up with Korea very fast. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will soon follow. The fault is not only on the employees, but on the employers.  Korean […]

A developer recently contacted IPG Legal concerning a dispute with a supplier of building materials.  The developer purchased building materials from a supplier with payment to be forwarded 30-days after receipt of the materials. This is a common practice when a supplier has a long-term relationship with a developer, provides a consistent flow of supplies […]

The Korean National Assembly passed a bill in July of 2021 that amends the Fairness in Subcontracting Transactions Act (“Subcontracting Act”). The Act makes major changes with regard to discovery in litigation and aims to protect the intellectual property/confidential data/technical data (“Technical Data”) of subcontractors from poaching by prime contractors. For another article on Korea’s […]

I just read a great post on an even better blog entitled the New York Small Business Law Blog. The blog post – Tips on Making your Independent Contractors Audit Proof – notes that the feds are increasing their efforts to crack down on misclassified independent contractors. The advice the attorney gave on how to avoid the scrutiny […]

The Korean Ministry of Labor created this list with revisions by Sean Hayes and IPG. I will update the list periodically. The checklist is intended for all employers that employ five or more workers. The list contains many generalizations, thus, don’t take this as the end-all list. I suggest, also, clicking on the label to […]

A popular song regularly played on the radio proclaims that in the summer of 1989 the songwriter, Kid Rock, was “trying different things and smoking funny things.” If you have any exposure to the Korean market, do your business a favor and don’t be like the songwriter. All businesses with any exposure to the Korean […]

Reducing the headcount in Korea can be difficult, time-consuming, and costly without the use of an accountant and a proactive attorney. Article 24 of the Labor Standards Act of Korea governs the dismissals of employees for managerial reasons. This is the main applicable law for making an employee redundant. For a general article on terminating […]

The following Korea divorce checklist may be useful for those negotiating a marital separation agreement in Korea. We highly recommend the utilization of a marital separation agreement, since the normal Korean judgment doesn’t consider some issues that may arise in the future including pension and social security that are addressed in a typical marital separation […]

While China is the factory to the world, Korea is, still, a great choice for those that enjoy less headaches.  Even though Korea tends to be easier to painlessly manufacture OEM in, Korea is not without risk or pains.  Thus, we advised over the years on these pages to, always, do your due diligence in […]

If you would like to avoid Korean court expenses and headaches related to your business in Korea, please do yourself a favor and have you Korean contracts drafted by an experienced Korean professional prior to doing business with a Korean company.  Many of the standard agreements utilized in the West are not adequate for Korea. […]

Sean Hayes is the first non-Korean employed as a foreign attorney by the Korean Court System (Constitutional Court of Korea) and one of the first non-Koreans to be a full-time regular member of a Korean law faculty. He is rated a Top Attorney by numerous legal rating agencies and is known for his street-smart advice, […]

My Yacht/Sailing Club was featured in the Joongang Daily. Sailing into the winds of change Joong ang Ilbo (February 23, 2007) Harold Shim, right, aboard a 21-foot trimaran on the Han River in Seoul with members and guests of the 700 Yacht Club. In 1965, as an 11-year-old immigrant to the United States, Harold Shim […]

It’s funny how words can inform and mislead. When I first came to Korea in the mid-1970s, I often was enchanted and confused by the similarity of Korean and Japanese. For example, I stumbled across the word “judo.” Was it the martial art? No, that was “yudo” in Korean. It turns out that in at […]

Happy Lunar New Year to all our Korean friends. We would, also, like to wish a Happy Lunar New Year to all of our Chinese friends.  Have a wonderful Lunar New Year! IPG Legal is an international Asia-focused law firm and business advisory focused on assisting clients in entering and succeeding in Asian markets, including China, […]

I received a call from a friend asking about information concerning collecting on a personal debt. He loaned money to a “friend” and the friend never made a payment on the loan.  I advised one of the ways to encourage payment is via garnishing wages. Korea has an effective and efficient method of garnishing wages. […]

We are proud to note that 10 Magazine listed us in an article titled 10 Lawyers in Seoul for English-Speaking Expats in Korea. IPG is listed under the title Large/International Law Firms. Thanks for the mention 10 Magazine. We love your work. IPG Legal and many of our lawyers were listed as top attorneys by numerous […]

The following Korean Child Support Table is applicable as of March of 2022. The top green line of the table is the amount of earning per month for the mother and the father. The orange line on the left is the age of the child, while the amounts in yellow are the costs per child. […]

During a recent speech the head of the Korean Labor & Employment Law Team and I gave to the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, a few interesting topics came up that seemed to be of particular interest to participants.  For the Power Point of the presentation click HERE. Factors Courts use to Determine if […]

Drafting of a Korea-centric distribution agreement and a good deal of due diligence of the anticipated distributor/agent is necessary for avoiding issues that may require the litigation services of a law firm. Some of the articles posted by IPG Legal on Due Diligence may be found at: I have been informed by one of my […]

There are excellent and ethical attorneys in every country; this is certainly also the case in Korea with Korean attorneys and international attorneys working in Korea. While all are no doubt intelligent and highly educated, the manner in which many approach their clients’ needs harkens more to the early 20th century than the cusp of […]

South Korea is not an “at-will” employment country, which means that an employer may not dismiss an employee for any reason nor without warning or notice. Under the Korean Labor Standard Act, an employer who has five or more employees may not dismiss or suspend from work any of its employees without “justifiable cause.” And […]

Under the Fair Franchise Transactions Act of Korea (“Franchise Act”), a franchisee has the right, under Korean Law, to request the renewal of a Korean franchise agreement after ten years of successful operation of a franchise.  In some cases this reality leads to a Former Franchisee continuing the franchise in competition with your new franchisee. […]

The Korean Supreme Court ruled, in March of 2018, that a company may terminate employees for one incident of employee gambling. The case is a precedent that may make it easier for employees to terminate employees that violate certain company rules without the need to provide notification and an opportunity to improve. The case stems […]

In April of 2015, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that under Article 4; Article (9)(1); and Article 41(1) of the prior version of the Fair Transactions in Franchise Business Act (“Franchise Act”) damages may be obtained, from a franchisor, for all material omissions (Supreme Court 2014 DA 84824,84831, April 9, 2015) within Korean Franchise […]

Recent Amendments to the Korean Trademark Act were passed by the National Assembly of Korea. On February 3, 2022, the National Assembly published the Korean Trademark Act revisions. One major revision was the expansion of the meaning of “use of a trademark.” The revision should make the application process easier for applicants and expand the […]

The courts of the Republic of Korea, for years, have struggled to find a consistent interpretation of an “Ordinary Wage.” The definition of Ordinary Wage, under Korean Law, was clarified by the Korean Supreme Court in two decisions handed down on December 18, 2013. The calculation of Ordinary Wages is important, since the calculation is […]

The Korean Franchise Association is an organization that is authorized/licensed by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy. All domestic and foreign franchises that have registered Franchise Disclosure Statements with the Korean Fair Trade Commission can apply to the Korean Franchise Association. Korean Franchise Association IPG Legal believes, most foreign franchisors, should join the […]

IPG Legal is one of the only law firms in Korea that obtained over 70 not-guilty verdicts and hundreds of dismissals and suspension of indictments in Korea. We handled hundreds of cases for foreigners in Korea and believe that we are the most experienced law firm in Korea handling criminal defense cases for expats, business […]

IPG Legal lawyers handled numerous inheritance and inheritance tax matters over our nearly two decades handling cases for expats, families abroad, domestic families, and foreigners with residence in Korea. The Korean Inheritance Tax Deductions Chart and the Korean Inheritance Tax Rate Chart were drafted since many clients contacted us wishing to understand how to calculate […]

The Korean Commercial Building Lease Protection Act (“CBLP”) came into force on August 13, 2013.  The Korean CBLP amendments, mentioned below, will solely come into force for leases entered into after August 13, 2013.  The changes will assist those with large deposits from being evicted by a landlord in Korea based on no apparent reasons. […]

Major revisions to the South Korean Patent Act (KPA) came into effect on April 20, 2022. The period for filing an appeal against a rejection decision in Korea will be extended from 30 days to three months. Under the amended Korean Patent Act (KPA), applicants can save costs by avoiding time extensions that earlier had […]

The shortage of workers in South Korea’s construction industry is deepening, and it has pushed the industry to request the government to allow in more foreign workers. The industry is now discussing with the government easing regulations on visa rules in order to hire more foreign construction workers to overcome this serious shortage. We hope […]

Who is an Employee/Worker under Korean Law with the Rights and Protections under the Korean Labor Standards Acts and Related Laws and regulations? The definition of an employee in Korea is a topic that has filled books. The following is a brief introduction to an issue that IPG Legal litigates for foreign employees of Korean […]

Deregulation of Cloud Computing and Network Separation in the Financial Sector in Korea explained by lawyers at a leading law firm in Korea. Korean Cloud Computing and Network Separation Rules:  Improvements in the Korean Financial Sector. The Korean Financial Services Commission presented its intentions to enhance the rules governing cloud computing and network separation in […]

We wrote an article about the Arrest of Vessels in Korean waters in a post last week. The article is a useful guide for those considering arresting a ship in Korean waters. The post may be found at: Arrest/Attachment of Vessels in Korean Waters: Maritime Liens for Creditors in Korea. This post describes how you […]

The Success of K- Beauty Exports and The Impact on Economy One of the top 10 beauty markets in the world, South Korea is renowned for its inventiveness, gentle ingredients, and attractive packaging. Due to the effects of COVID-19, the market size was projected to be $6.8 billion in 2020, a considerable decrease from the […]

The Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to submit the following Korean Tax reform proposal to theNational Assembly and seeks approval before the 2nd of September 2022. The Korean Tax Reform Plan consists of changes with an emphasis on three goals of the new administration: Strengthen the economy; To stabilize people’s livelihood; To create […]

Starting a small business in Korea can be enjoyable and profitable if you get the business on the right track from the start.  Too often we see those with “limited funds” (we all have limited funds -even multinationals have limited funds) choosing to forgo having the deals structured by a professional and just downloading a […]

A Basic Explanation of the Types of Divorces in Korea. Under Korean law, there are two types of divorces. One is divorce by mutual agreement and the other is divorce by court order. agree to dissolve their marriage amicably. We advise, in all but the most exceptional of matters, to engage a lawyer in Korea […]

In this post we’ll discuss the Defenses in Korea that may be used in the Korean courts against sex-related accusations. A. When the accused acknowledges the allegationsIf the defendant reaches a settlement with a victim, normally, the Defendant shall receive the least serious criminal charge if he voluntarily acknowledges the crime and settles with the […]

As many people are already aware, driving under the influence is dangerous and can lead to serious legal consequences in Korea. Korea has one of the world’s most strict DUI Laws. In order, in part, to fight the stigma of Korea having one of the highest road fatality rates in the OECD, the present Korean […]

We assist expats who have lived in Korea with Korean Police Clearance Certificates and Korean Criminal Record Check Certificates. The process to obtain these records, in Korea, is regrettably not so easy in many cases, because of a new Korean Law. Criminal Record Checks in Korea Why is a Criminal Record Check needed? A criminal […]

Korea has recently been affected by typhoons and severe flooding caused by the heaviest rainfall in centuries. These issues led to the loss of life, property, business and the livelihood of many individuals. Many alleged defaulting/breaching parties to an agreement have claimed Force Majeure as a defense to non-performance of contractual obligations. Natural Disasters and […]

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are legal in South Korea and enforceable. A legally enforceable agreement known as an NDA forbids the publication of sensitive information between two or more parties. In business dealings, employment contracts, and collaborations involving sensitive information, NDAs are frequently employed.NDAs may be subject to contract law or intellectual property law in South […]

First-generation Korean e-commerce enterprises are currently working to integrate recently acquired businesses and create new business prospects in the fiercely competitive E-commerce market of Korea. Korean E-Commerce Market Last month, Korea Center, the owner of Enuri.com, the nation’s oldest online shopping mall and Danawa, another local e-commerce business, merged. In order to increase their ability […]

In South Korea, like in many other countries, there are countless scams intended to trick people into giving away their cash or personal information. People in Korea have to stay alert and aware of the most typical tricks played by scammers or con artists because these scams occur in a variety of forms and are […]

IPG Legal is one of the only law firms in Korea that caters to foreigners, the expat community and multinational businesses in Korea. IPG Legal is a well-known and highly-ranked law firm with a leading family law practice in South Korea. The firm’s family law practice is known for providing high-quality legal services to clients facing […]

Korea is one of the world’s largest importers of goods and services in the world. Opportunities for exporters to Korea abound. IPG Legal, a top-rated international law firm, assists companies exporting to and doing business with Korean companies. IPG Legal works on projects in North America, Korea, China and throughout Southeast Asia. Contact Us. To […]

The amended Commercial Code of Korea provides for “squeeze-out” rights for shareholders holding 95% or more of the shares of a company. This Korean law was promulgated in April of 2012. The law also provides for a right of minority shareholders of Korean companies to demand a “sell-out.” It seems possible, under the very vague […]

Starting a business is rarely simple, and doing so as an expat in Korea involves not just financial challenges, but also the complex and constantly-changing Korean Immigration regulations that foreigners must follow in order to remain and legally launch a business in Korea. This law blog post is intended as a basic guide to Immigration […]

Effective at the beginning of 2023, the non-taxable cap for meal allowances was increased from KRW 100,000 to KRW 200,000. It is advisable to discuss this with your accountant along with the myriad of other ways to save on taxes in Korea. Please see: Korean National Pension Contributions & Deductions for additional information on Korean […]

Korean Minimum Wage in 2023 Skip to content The Minimum Hourly Wage for 2023 in Korea is KRW 9,620. The Minimum Wage for 2023, in Korea, was increased by KRW 460. Similar Posts: Like this: Like Loading… Related

The length of sentences for crimes in Korea varies depending on the severity of the offense, the capabilities of your Korean lawyer and the discretion of the judge. The most important aspect of defending against a crime in Korea is the choice of your Korean criminal defense attorneys. Also, make sure your lawyer in Korea […]

IPG Legal is a prominent client-focused law firm with its Korean Office based in Seoul, South Korea. IPG Legal’s Commercial Law Practice provides legal services to individuals and businesses. IPG Legal’s Commercial Law Practice is widely recognized as a leading law practice in South Korea based on its numerous ratings in legal rating services and […]

Often we assist clients with family members or friends in Korea who are better off under the care of a trustworthy person who can manage their personal and property-related responsibilities. Under Korean law, it is possible for a Korean court to appoint a guardian to take care of the best interest of a ward. A […]

Those abroad or in Korea frequently struggle to comprehend how to safeguard their elderly parents, or family members who are residing in Korea. Don’t fret, a system is in place in Korea to assist families in need. Korean Guardianship Law was revised to meet the growing need for guardians in Korea. For a list of […]

Heartiest congratulations to Attorney Sean Hayes for being recognized as one of the top 100 lawyers in South Korea by the Asia Business Law Journal. It’s a great achievement to be listed twice in their Top 100 Lawyers report and it’s a testament to his excellent work for clients in the country. The A-List report […]

Article 5 of the Presidential Decree of the Securities Transaction Tax Law of Korea was amended to lower taxes on stock transactions. The amendment came into effect on January 1, 2023. KOSPI2022: 0.23%2023/2024: 0.2% 2025: 0.15%* agriculture and fishery tax of 0.15% KOSDAQ2022: 0.23%2023/2024: 0.20% 2025: 0.15% KONEX/OTC 2022: 0.43%2023: 0.35% For a consultation with […]

The Korean Criminal Justice System works, in many aspects, very differently from the American, Australian, Canadian, Irish, UK and other Criminal Justice Systems based on the common law. One, notable, difference is in regard to the detention of a suspect prior and during to a trial/hearing in Korea. One aspect of the system that leaves […]

Korean Immigration Law is an evolving area of law in South Korea that often changes with the change of governments. IPG legal assists many business and individual clients that run afoul or wish not to run afoul of Korea’s Immigration Laws. In worst-case scenarios, you can be deported from Korea, have an entry ban imposed, […]

The Joseon Sijeong Uigwe, a 1,893 volume legal code, is a comprehensive set of laws, regulations and rules that were developed during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. IPG Legal shall be writing more on Korean history over the next couple of months in order to add to the body of knowledge available in the English language. Little […]

South Korea is an export-focused economy with a growing local service sector. Korea is one of the Top 10 largest economies in the world. IPG Legal is a leading internationally-facing law firm in Korea assisting companies entering and doing business with Korean companies. We work with clients on matters in North America, Korea, China and […]

At the beginning of this year Korean Financial Services Commission (“FSC”) and the Korean Ministry of Justice (“MOJ”) issued a press release outlining their plans to improve Korean dividend distribution procedures. The Press Release may be found below. For a consultation on these changes, please: Schedule a Call with Sean Hayes. We shall be writing […]

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online electronic travel authorization for travelers without a visa to Korea that can be obtained prior to entering the Republic of Korea (ROK) for leisure, business, or to visit family (except for profit-making projects). If you are planning to visit South Korea and want to apply for the […]

The legal system of the Republic of Korea developed over 1000s of years. In the early years of Korean history, the legal system of Korea was based, nearly entirely, on the principles of Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of moral principles, hierarchy, the power of the king, and social order. Confucianism still plays a role […]

The Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”) in February of 2023 announced a plan to overhaul the Security Token legal regime in Korea. Security tokens are digital representations of an asset traded and held on a blockchain. The announcement, seems to be in reaction to the Terra/Luna Meltdown and related meltdowns and belief that the the […]

Proposed Amendments to the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Law: Extending Merger Notification Exemptions and Adding a Voluntary Commitment System. Korean Monopoly and Fair Trade Act The Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act (MRFTA) is being revised, and the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has released an advance notice of these proposed changes, which include, […]

The Korea Times recently featured Attorney Seul-ki Lee of IPG Legal in a news article, and for all the right reasons.  Attorney Lee is one of the legal representatives of Mr. Arnold Samberg at IPG Legal. Mr. Samberg is a retired US Airforce sergeant who met with an unfortunate tragedy three years ago when he […]

The Hague Service Convention, also known as the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, is an international treaty that provides for the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents between countries. South Korea is a signatory to the Hague Service Convention, which means that documents must be […]

IPG Legal is an international law firm headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, that provides a range of legal services to domestic and international clients. The firm was founded in 2007 and is composed of experienced attorneys with expertise in various areas of Korean and international law, including corporate law, intellectual property law, international trade law, […]

IPG Legal and I have been helping Korean entrepreneurs and businesses navigate the Korean business climate for over two decades. I have seen my share of successful businesses and my share of failed business. With the right management, a deep understanding of the Korean market, a good local guide and some street smarts the following […]

IPG Legal has assisted clients in the process of setting up a corporate entity in South Korea. Yes, it can be complex and time-consuming, but getting started on the right food is, often, the most important part to a successful business in Korea. For a list of corporate forms in Korea, please see: Korean Corporate […]

Setting up a corporate entity in South Korea involves several steps and can be complex. If you are setting up a Korean venture between multiple parties or corporations make sure you have a carefully and custom-drafted Korean shareholder agreement, bylaws, articles of incorporation, employment agreements, employment rules, vendor agreements and you have the basic systems […]

The proposal to amend the Personal Information Protection Act of 2011 (the “PIPA”) was approved by the South Korean National Assembly on February 27, 2023. The changes cover a wide range of topics, from fines and breach of reporting requirements to transfer of data and business disclosure requirements. Amendments to Korean Privacy Law The fusion […]

A client, a minority shareholder in a foreign-capital-invested company in Korea is involved in litigation with other company shareholders (Korean shareholders) over issues the client had with the majority and other shareholders. The client requested me to post this article to warn others entering the Korean market via a Joint Venture or similar arrangement. This […]

Being scammed or falling into a trap by fraudsters or scammers is one of the biggest nightmares for anyone. Unfortunately, it can happen to the best of us, but what you do afterwards is what sets you apart from others. You can take legal action against your perpetrator in Korea and your case would either […]

Business Visas for Korea South Korea offers several types of business visas for foreign nationals who want to conduct business activities in the country. These include the D-7 (Investor/Business Manager) Visa, D-8 (Corporate Investment) Visa, and D-9 (International Trade and Investment) Visa, among others. Each type of visa has its own eligibility requirements and conditions, […]

Filing a petition to the Korean Labor Office in Korea in your area is the first step for some employees in Korea who assert that their labor rights under Korean Labor Law are violated. In many cases, it is advisable to not file with the Ministry of Employment & Labor’s (MOEL) Labor Office, but file, […]

Seeking a Korean divorce and navigating the Korean legal system can be emotionally challenging, even more so if you’re a foreigner in Korea. IPG Legal has assisted numerous foreigners and local Korean clients at the Seoul Family Court and other courts in Korea in order to obtain a divorce for foreigners in Korea. We have, […]

Korea, in many cases, is a better choice for the manufacturing of chemical, petroleum, construction equipment, complex crafted metals, specialty steel, automotive parts, semi-conductor, medical and pharmaceutical equipment and goods than China and most nations in Asia, because of Korea’s skilled work force, government incentives, protection of IP and increasingly transparent business practices. In many […]

In drafting and negotiating a Korean commercial agency agreement between a principal located in one country and an agent located in Korea, proper consideration needs to be given to the choices regarding the governing law and jurisdiction of such an agreement. If you are looking for an article on choice of law issues in Korean […]

One of the major parts of our law practice here at IPG Legal for international clients, in Korea, is the structuring of joint ventures and the resolution of joint venture disputes in Korean courts and through arbitration. I find, in many of these cases, the non-Korean party is not in need of a joint venture […]