We are proud to share that Shin & Kim has been named the winner of the Merger Control Matter of the Year Award for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region by Global Competition Review (GCR), a leading publication in the field of antitrust.

This recognition was awarded for our representation of Asiana Airlines in its high-profile merger between Korean Air Lines, a complex and landmark case that reflects the depth of our experience and the strength of our antitrust and M&A practice.  

The transaction was unprecedented for a merger between Korean companies and underwent rigorous scrutiny by major competition authorities in Korea, the United States, Europe, China, and Japan. Despite the many challenges, our team secured regulatory approval conditioned on certain remedial measures, including the transfer of route-specific slots/operating rights and divestitures of certain business units to third parties. The entire process—from the initial signing of the share purchase agreement in December 2021 to the final closing — spanned four years and drew significant global attention.

In fact, this marks the second time GCR has honored Shin & Kim for this same matter — we were previously recognized in 2023 — underscoring just how impactful this case has been on the global antitrust stage.

Sangdon Lee, who led the matter, commented: “This award once again shows that Shin & Kim is equipped to handle the most complex international antitrust cases. We remain committed to delivering top-tier legal solutions to our clients and staying ahead in a rapidly changing global landscape.”

GCR is a global publication in the field of antitrust and an official partner of the International Bar Association (IBA). Each year, it highlights the most notable antitrust cases and outstanding competition authorities, law firms, and practitioners around the world.

Shin & Kim’s reputation as a global leader in antitrust law has received spotlight in the past. In 2021, Shin & Kim received GCR’s Matter of the Year for the merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot Société Anonyme (PSA), and Merger Control Matter of the Year in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa for the merger between ZF Friedrichshafen and WABCO.

Shin & Kim’s antitrust team—which comprises Korean and foreign attorneys with top-tier legal skills and diverse practical experience —has consistently been ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners for ten consecutive years (2016 – 2025) and ranked in the “Elite” tier of GCR’s Top 100 Antitrust Law Firms (GCR 100) every year since 2017.