Attorney Park to Represent Automakers in Air Pollution Case after Winning Tobacco Case

Shin & Kim attorney Ghyo-Sun Park (43) has been asked to represent Korean automakers in a high-profile air pollution case. Previously, Mr. Park represented KT&G (formerly Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation) in a seven-year long tobacco case that resulted in a win for the company.

Mr. Park is now representing seven Korean automakers, including Hyundai Motor Company, is a case that includes as defendants the Republic of Korea and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Mr. Park stated that he thinks he was able to get this new case due to the reputation gained from his involvement in the earlier tobacco case. However, it has been reported that he got the case only after fierce competition with two other prominent Korean law firms, suggesting that the automakers recognized his achievements and experience.

Mr. Park is already showing a strong desire to win this case, remarking, “I will examine and review the precedents and judgments in Japan regarding similar air pollution cases.”

With a powerful eloquence, he is noted for gaining control over an opposing party with his refined and precise legal theory. When asked about his strong points, his associates invariably point to his “rigorous logical arguments.”

The attorney for the plaintiff in the tobacco case, Ms. Geum-ja Bae, was so well prepared for her case that she even wrote a master’s thesis on the results of U.S. tobacco cases during her study at Harvard Law School. However, she was unable to win this case.

In the pending tobacco case in Japan, it is thought that the case is turning to the advantage of the plaintiffs. And as with the Korean tobacco case, the result of which will have a big impact on Korean society, the air pollution case is also expected to draw great interest.

* Source: Seoul Economic Daily reporter Hong-gil Kim what@sed.co.kr