LIN NEWS
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LIN NewsCurrent Status of LIN Experts' Appointments by Institutions in the 2nd Quarter of 2025Recent external appointments of LIN’s legal experts are as follows: Attorney Eun Seok PARK Appointed as Member of the Financial Security Advisory Committee of the Financial Security Institute Eun Seok PARK, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as a member of the Financial Security Advisory Committee of the Financial Security Institute on May 15, 2025 (term: May 15, 2025 to Apr. 30, 2027). The Financial Security Institute, Korea’s sole financial security specialized organization established in 2015, has continuously strived to contribute to the enhancement of the convenience of financial users and the development of the financial industry by creating a safe and reliable financial environment through the performance of comprehensive financial security tasks. As a safe financial environment has become an essential foundation for the development of the financial industry, Attorney Park will faithfully perform his duties as a member of the Financial Security Advisory Committee to help the Financial Security Institute solidify the trust of financial users and realize a more convenient and safe financial future. Attorney Yong Gap KIM Reappointed as a Member of the Trade Commission’s Intellectual Property Advisory Group Yong Gap KIM, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as a member of the Intellectual Property Advisory Group of the Trade Commission on June 9, 2025 (term: Jun. 9, 2025 to Jun. 8, 2027). Since its establishment in 1987, the Trade Commission has been Korea’s sole trade remedy agency, working to protect domestic industries from unfair foreign competition and establish a fair trade order. Through investigations into unfair trade practices, such as dumping, granting of subsidies, and intellectual property infringement, based on international trade norms, it prevents damage to domestic industries and contributes to creating a healthy trade ecosystem. Attorney KIM will do his best to ensure effective trade security for domestic companies in an increasingly complex trade environment during his term as a member of the Trade Commission's Intellectual Property Rights Advisory Group. Attorney Yong Gap KIM Reappointed as an Advisory Attorney to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Yong Gap KIM, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as an advisory attorney to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on August 8, 2025 (term: August 8, 2025 to August 7, 2027). The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is an organization established to protect the daily lives of the public by enhancing professional capabilities in the food and drug sector, advancing the benefits of cutting-edge technology, and predicting and preemptively responding to risks. As a legal advisor to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Attorney KIM will do his best to faithfully reflect the needs for customized policies in the food and drug sectors and carefully protect public health and safety. In addition, based on his legal expertise, he will actively support the promotion of innovation and services, make regulations the foundation for industrial competitiveness, and faithfully perform his role as a trusted legal advisor. Attorney Yong Gap KIM Appointed as a Member of the Regulatory Review Committee of the Ministry of Science and ICT Yong Gap KIM, an attorney atLIN, was appointed as a member of the Regulatory Review Committee of the Ministry of Science and ICT on May 27, 2025 (term: May 27, 2025 to May 26, 2027). Since its launch in 2017, the Ministry of Science and ICT has been working tirelessly with the vision of helping the nation become a global science and technology powerhouse and a digital model. As a key government agency, it aims to strengthen national research and development capabilities by revitalizing research, nurturing excellent talent, establishing a leading foundation for the 4th Industrial Revolution, and creating a science and technology innovation ecosystem. As technology rapidly evolves and digital transformation accelerates, Attorney KIM will do his best to ensure fairness and transparency in science, technology, information and communication policies and to strengthen national research and development capabilities as a member of the Regulatory Review Committee of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Attorney Eung Jun JEON Reappointed as a Member of Trade Commission’s Intellectual Property Advisory Group Eung Jun JEON, an attorney at LIN, was reappointed as a member of the Trade Commission’s Intellectual Property Advisory Group effective June 9, 2025. Since its launch in 1987, the Trade Commission has been Korea’s sole trade remedy agency, and has been continuously working to protect domestic industries and establish a fair trade order through fair investigations into issues such as dumping, granting of subsidies, and intellectual property rights infringement in accordance with international trade norms. Attorney JEON will diligently work to present practical response measures so that domestic companies can be protected from intellectual property rights-related disputes and trade damages in the complex and rapidly changing global trade environment. Attorney Eung Jun JEON Reappointed as a Member of the Personal Information Protection Commission’s 2025 Personal Information Processing Policy Evaluation Committee Eung Jun JEON, attorney at LIN, was reappointed as a member of the Personal Information Processing Policy Evaluation Committee by the Personal Information Protection Commission on June 16, 2025. The Personal Information Processing Policy Evaluation Committee is an advisory committee established pursuant to Article 30-2 of the Act and Article 6 of the Notice on the Evaluation of Personal Information Processing Policy. It is a group of experts who review and evaluate whether the personal information processing policies created by a company or institution are easy for the public to understand and contains the contents stipulated in the law. Attorney JEON will faithfully fulfill his duties as a member of the committee to ensure more thorough and objective evaluation and deliberation. Attorney Jong Sik KIM Appointed as a Member of the Researchers’ Rights Protection Committee Jong Sik KIM, an attorney atLIN, was appointed as a member of the Researchers’ Rights Protection Committee on April 15, 2025. The Researcher’s Rights Protection Committee, established in accordance with the National Research and Development Innovation Act to protect researchers’ rights and review the appropriateness of desciplinary actions, is comprised of many experts in law, accounting, and intellectual property rights, as well as government officials, centered around researchers in the field of science and technology. The Researchers’ Rights Protection Committee will protect the rights of researchers by objectively reviewing disciplinary actions, while also increasing the effectiveness of preventing misconduct through fair and consistent disciplinary actions. Attorney KIM will do his best to present more professional and in-depth solutions as a member of the Researchers’ Rights Protection Committee. Attorney Seung Kwan CHOI Appointed as a Member of the Anyang City Personnel Committee Seung Kwan CHOI, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as a member of the Anyang City Personnel Committee on April 1, 2025 (term: April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028). The Anyang City Personnel Committee is an organization that deliberates and decides on personnel-related matters for civil servants in Anyang City, including appointments, promotions, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, etc. As a member of the Personnel Committee, Attorney CHOI will actively participate in the establishment and revision of personnel-related regulations and the establishment of personnel policies during his term of office, and will do his best to ensure that the committee deliberates and considers various matters in a fairer manner. Attorney Min Gu KANG Appointed as an Audit Advisor for Policy and Business Performance at Korea Electric Power Corporation Min Gu KANG, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as a member of the Audit Advisory Committee for Policy-Business Performance of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) on June 1, 2025 (term: June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026). KEPCO operates a residential energy cashback system to save energy, and provides support for local communities and underprivileged classes as part of its social contribution activities. It manages the safety of power facilities in the safety sector and provides various customer support programs in the customer service sector. Attorney KANG, as an audit advisory member of KEPCO, will do his best to prepare for a new energy future and protect public safety and the environment. He will also actively support making electricity use easier and more convenient through a strong ‘energy platform’ and promises to faithfully fulfill his role as a transparent and trustworthy audit advisor. Yoon Suh LEE, U.S. Attorney, Appointed as a Member of the Gangwon-do Special Self-Governing Province Foreign Investment Attraction Council Yoon Suh LEE, a U.S. attorney at LIN, was appointed as a member of the Foreign Investment Attraction Council of Gangwon-do Special Self-Governing Province on April 1, 2025 (term: Apr. 1, 2025, to Mar. 31, 2027). The council is an organization established to attract foreign investment more efficiently and systematically. It deeply deliberates on matters related to the attraction, promotion, and support plans for foreign investment, as well as various support matters for foreign investors and foreign-invested companies, and performance-based pay for contributors to foreign investment attraction, and plays a role in supporting the governor to discuss major matters related to foreign investment attraction at meetings. As a member of the council, U.S. attorney LEE will do his best to help the council review and consider each issue more objectively and professionally. Yoon Suh LEE, U.S. Attorney, Appointed as the 'Integrity Ombudsman' of the Korea Energy Agency Yoon Suh LEE, a U.S. attorney at LIN, was appointed as the 'Integrity Ombudsman' of the Korea Energy Agency on April 16, 2025 (term: April 16, 2025, to April 15, 2027). The Korea Energy Agency is a public institution established in 1980 to rationalize energy use and expand renewable energy. As part of its anti-corruption and integrity policy, it operates the Integrity Ombudsman System. Through the system, the agency receives suggestions and recommendations related to integrity from various stakeholders inside and outside the agency, handles reports and investigations of corrupt acts, andconducts integrity education and promotion As the Integrity Ombudsman of the Korea Energy Agency, U.S. attorney Lee will actively support the establishment of integrity policies and diligently work to help the agency measure such policies’ effectiveness in a precise and object manner. Woohyuk Sky JU, U.S. Attorney, Appointed as a Legal Advisor for the LA Branch of Korea Trade Insurance Corporation Woohyuk Sky JU, a U.S. attorney at LIN, was appointed as the legal advisor for the LA branch of the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, effective June 1, 2025. The Korea Trade Insurance Corporation is a leading domestic trade investment insurance institution that offers trade insurance products covering various risks arising from foreign transactions such as imports and exports, overseas construction and investment, foreign exchange risk management, and service exports, and provides credit information services and debt collection services. It is also contributing to strengthening national competitiveness and economic development through the development of high value-added trade insurance products and services. Woohyuk Sky JU, a U.S. Attorney in charge of compliance and contract consulting for the Washington D.C. branch of the corporation in the eastern United States, will, as the legal advisor for the LA branch of the corporation, faithfully work to help the organization grow more quickly by expanding the role of trade insurance and becoming a public enterprise that is more trusted by the public.2025.09.17.
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News LetterMobility Legal Updates_[Issue]The government is preparing various support measures to vitalize the domestic mobility industry. This newsletter provides an overview of the latest government support policies for the mobility industry and their implications.1 1. Post-Korea-U.S. Tariff Negotiations Support Measures 1. Key Contents On September 3, 2025, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced follow-up support measures in response to the imposition of the mutual tariffs (15%) and automobile tariffs (15%) by the United States. These measures focus on urgent support for companies affected by the tariffs, which includes expanding the scope of a 13.9 trillion KRW policy fund in the short term, increasing the per-company loan limit tenfold (from 2 billion KRW to 30 billion KRW for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and from 5 billion KRW to 50 billion KRW for mid-sized companies), and an additional 0.3% interest rate reduction. Furthermore, the plan includes providing up to 27 billion KRW in trade insurance, providing and expanding support for export vouchers and logistics costs, implementing industry-specific plans to stimulate domestic demand and protect domestic industries, and promoting global market entry by expanding support for exhibitions and fairs. It also involves marketing support to enhance export competitiveness by industry and establishing mid-to-long-term competitiveness enhancement plans for key industries. Specific follow-up support measures for the mobility industry include 1) the introduction of an electric vehicle (EV) conversion subsidy (for a new EV purchase after disposing of an internal combustion engine vehicle), and 2) the establishment of the 'AI Future Car Competitiveness Enhancement Plan' to promote the development of key technologies for AI autonomous driving based on SDV2 and the widespread adoption of eco-friendly vehicles (such as demand-specific multipurpose EVs, hydrogen engine cars, and range-extended EVs) and to secure the necessary budget. 2. Implications Government support for mobility export companies is expected to expand from 2026 in response to the automobile tariffs imposed by the U.S. In particular, the new EV conversion subsidy is anticipated to boost domestic demand for electric vehicles. Additionally, the budget allocation and establishment of plans for technology development are expected to spur technology development among mobility companies and related research institutions. In this regard, we at Lin LLC will continue to monitor legislative amendments related to the new EV conversion subsidy and details thereof, as well as the contents of the technology development plans to provide helpful information. 2. Customized Local Government Support for Urban Air Mobility 1. Key Contents On August 26, 2025, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced that it would promote customized and phased support for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) by region. The support will be provided through budget allocations, integration of R&D and real-world demonstrations, and consulting from specialized agencies. MOLIT's plans include providing budget support to Jeju (for the design of vertiports 3 for tourist routes), Daegu and Gyeongbuk (for the establishment of business plans and vertiport design for public-oriented projects, such as forest fire surveillance and highway accident monitoring), and Jeonnam and Gyeongnam (for institutional support, such as designating pilot operation zones for the Southern region's integrated tourism development plan). Additionally, it will select locations to construct infrastructure for research and demonstrations and support the integration of pilot projects in Ulsan (building a vertiport at a technology development and demonstration site for the alternative transportation network plan) and Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon (constructing urban demonstration facilities and integrating pilot projects to plan airport shuttle routes). Business consulting support will also be provided for Busan (a project to integrate transportation and tourism) and Chungbuk (using UAM in response to disasters, such as forest fires). 2. Implications MOLIT's support measures are expected to expand and vitalize UAM projects in each local government. Accordingly, it is necessary to ascertain the status of each local government's UAM projects, and to prepare strategies and meet the necessary legal conditions for participation. *** LIN has extensive experience in providing advisory and litigation services in the mobility industry, particularly in areas such as administrative regulations and patent and trade secret disputes related to motor vehicles. Our Mobility Team consists of attorneys and experts with a distinctive interest and passion for automobiles. Should you wish to learn more about this newsletter or have any other inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our firm’s Mobility Team. 1. The competent department is the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Autonomous Driving Policy Division 2.Software-Defined Vehicle: ㅁ vehicle defined and improved through software updates and control 3. Vertiport: A dedicated take-off and landing facility for vertical take-offs and landings2025.09.18.
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NoticeLin Signs MOU with Korea New & Renewable Energy Association (KNREA)Mutual cooperation on new & renewable energy-related projects through legal services in the field of laws and regulations On October 26, Lin signed an MOU with KNREA to promote the development of the domestic new & renewable energy industry. The agreement was signed to provide various legal services to KNREA and its member companies, including information on new & renewable energy-related laws and regulations. Through the agreement, the two parties agreed to cooperate on ▶ improving new & renewable energy-related laws and systems ▶ providing legal advice on new & renewable energy ▶ and training on new & renewable energy. In line with the trend of carbon neutrality, Lin will exert its best to promote the sustainable development of the renewable energy industry, which can replace conventional energy using fossil fuels and nuclear power. For more information, please visit KNREA website below. http://www.knrea.or.kr/bbs/?act=bbs&subAct=view&bid=agreement&page=1&order_type=desc&seq=58282023.11.10.
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Recruitment PersonnelNew RecruitmentsWe are pleased to welcome Jung Bong Lee (Partner), Lance B. Lee (Foreign Legal Consultant - Partner), and Ki Suk Seol (Of Counsel) as new members of our Firm. 1. Jeong Bong Lee, Partner - Incheon Songdo High School(68th) - Yonsei University, Department of Law - Chungnam National University, School of Law - Korean Bar Examination (40th, 1998) - Judicial Research and Training Institute (27th) - University of Vienna – Criminal Justice Institute Visiting Scholar (2008) Past) Incheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2001) Past) Daejeon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Hongseong Branch – Prosecutor (2003) Past) Incheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Bucheon Branch – Prosecutor (2005) Past) Seoul Central District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2007) Past) Supreme Prosecutors’ Office - Prosecutor Researcher (2007) Past) Busan District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2013) Past) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - Head of Strategic Analytics (2014) Past) Chuncheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Gangneung Branch – Chief Prosecutor (2016) Past) Daegu District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Seobu Branch – Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 3 (2017) Past) Seoul Eastern District Public Prosecutors’ Office - Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 5 (2018) Past) Seoul Southern District Public Prosecutors’ Office - Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 2 (2019) Past) Supreme Prosecutors’ Office – Human Rights Policy Officer (2020) Past) Gwangju District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Human Rights Protection Officer (2021) Past) Chuncheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Chief of Wonju Branch (2022) Past) Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office (Daegu District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Secondment(2023), Voluntary Resignation) Current) LIN Since his appointment as a prosecutor in 2001, Mr. Lee has served as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, a researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, a prosecutor at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, a secondee at the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a deputy prosecutor at the Seoul Eastern and Southern District Prosecutors' Offices, and a human rights policy officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, before finally retiring in 2023 as the Chief Prosecutor of the Wonju District Prosecutors' Office. During his 22 years and 8 months as a prosecutor, he discharged a wide range of cases, including intellectual property infringement, technology theft and unfair competition, medical malpractice, sexual assault, finance, taxation, homicide, special crime, public security, and human rights policy (due process compliance in investigations). Mr. Lee, who joined Lin as a partner in November 2023, plans to actively engage in various cases such as securities, finance, and corporate anti-corruption based on diverse investigative and theoretical experience accumulated from the prosecution. Lin boasts top domestic experts in responding to financial, corporate crimes, and other investigative matters, and we will strive to provide our clients with high-quality legal services. 2. Lance B. Lee, Foreign Legal Consultant (Partner) - Boston College Law School – J.D. - University of Virginia – B.A. Past) Dentons Lee - Chief Operating Officer, Head of International Arbitration & Litigation and Partner, 2012-2023 Past) Kim & Chang - Partner Past) STX Shipbuilding Corporation – Group General Counsel Past) POSCO – Overseas Projects Team Leader Past) U.S. Army JAG Corps – Trial Counsel, Prosecutor and Captain Past) Gainer, Rient & Hotis - Attorney Current) LIN – Head of International Arbitration & Litigation, Partner (Present) Mr. Lee, a U.S. attorney, was responsible for various international arbitration and litigation cases for 11 years at Kim & Chang, representing numerous international corporations and diverse fields. Serving as General Counsel at STX Shipbuilding Corporation and Head of the International Legal Team at POSCO, he handled tasks such as international arbitration, international litigation, IP, corporate M&A, contract negotiations, and joint investments for global conglomerates. Subsequently, as a partner at the Seoul Office of Dentons, he worked for 11 years as the Head of the International Arbitration/Litigation Team, leading numerous international arbitration cases as lead counsel. In 2024, for the first time in history, more than half of the global population will be holding elections, signaling the end of America’s “unilateral hegemony” and prompting the world to prepare for more disputes. With major industrial powers intensifying their industrial policies and protectionist measures to secure leadership in advanced and eco-friendly industries post-election, there is an anticipated increase in international disputes, particularly in advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors and information technology (IT). Mr. Lee, a foreign attorney leading the International Arbitration/Litigation Team, will leverage his experience and expertise to actively discharge legal advice on the prevention and resolution of international disputes for various global corporations based on his accumulated knowledge and professionalism. 3. Ki Suk Seol, Of Counsel - Hongik University, Department of Architecture - Kyungpook National University, Graduate School of Law, - KAIST, Intellectual Property Graduate School - Bar Examination (3rd) Past) Eland Group, Legal Department Past) Hyundai Engineering, Legal Department Past) Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Officer Past) Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Secretary Current) LIN Mr. Seol, as an in-house counsel for a large corporation, has accumulated expertise in a wide range of legal affairs that can arise within the company, including civil and criminal litigation and consultation, fair trade practices, compliance, intellectual property, construction, and labor-related dispute management. Subsequently, serving as a Legal Affairs Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, he handled administrative adjudication and litigation, legislation drafting and revision, interpretation of laws and rights, review of government and legislative bills, formulation of legislative strategies, improvement of attorney and notary systems, and enhancement of legal technology systems. Through these roles, he has built expertise in planning, administration, and legislation. Amidst the ongoing challenges such as the increase in unsold and unoccupied properties, rising construction costs, high interest rates, and stagnation in real estate PF, it is anticipated that legal disputes and litigation among real estate market participants, including developers, contractors, financial institutions, trustees, and local housing associations, will continue to rise. Mr. Seol, who has served as an in-house counsel for a global integrated construction company, has handled a wide range of cases from civil and criminal matters to fair trade, construction, labor, and compliance issues, from the client's perspective, collaborating with various major law firms. Drawing upon his extensive practical experience accumulated in the field, he is committed to providing tailored solutions, not only advisory services but also litigation support, to corporate clients. 4. Recruitment of Foreign Lawyer With recent concerns over deflation in China, attitudes of Korean companies towards China have become notably cautious. Consequently, there is a growing need for professional advice regarding entry into the Chinese market. Recognizing this demand, Lin has recently recruited Ms. Wenpu Yang (Chinese attorney), aiming to provide high-quality legal service that aligns with our clients’ business strategies and management objectives on various issues related to Sino-Korean business relations. Going forward, Lin promises to continuously recruit verified talents in various fields to ensure customer satisfaction.2024.02.05.