Since the IMF crisis in 1997, the domestic M&A market has grown into a trillion-won market. As the forerunner of this rapidly expanding market, Korean attorneys are now playing bigger roles in leading mega-size M&A deals.
 
Recent M&A Deals of Shin & Kim>

● FILA Korea acquired shares of FILA group
● KRW 310 billion acquisition of Donghae Pulp
● Asiana Airlines acquires Air Busan for KRW 23 billion
● SK acquires Incheon Oil Refinery
● Korea’s first acquisition, consolidation of large size banks. (Kookmin Bank and Housing & Commercial Bank)
● Merger of Woori Bank and Peace Bank of Korea
● Sale of Seoul, Korea Exchange, Cho Heung, and Hanmi Bank
● Korea’s first hostile M&A re Hanwha Finance
● Exercise by Sovereign Global’s voting right against SK Corp.
● Carl Icahn and KT&G director dispute.
● Lakeside Golf Club management right dispute.

● SK Telecom acquires Hanaro Telecom for KRW 1.1 trillion.
● Kumho Group acquires Korea Express for KRW 4.1triillion.

Shin & Kim, The Most Competitive Law Firm Compared to Size
In the Korean M&A market, the most prominent law firms are Shin & Kim and Bae, Kim & Lee. M&A experts pick Shin & Kim as the most competitive law firm compared to firm size. Shin & Kim has been focusing on international practices early on and jumped into the M&A market while other big law firms focused on recruiting attorneys who were former government officials and concentrated on their litigation practices. Yong Gyun Shin, Marketing Director of Shin & Kim noted that, “Shin & Kim may be considered a young firm; however, when it comes to the M&A market, we are one of the most seasoned and capable law firms with an outstanding experience in the field.”

In Shin & Kim, the whole firm functions as an M&A team providing top-quality services. In the center, there is Doo Sik, Kim, Managing Partner of the firm together with other main members such as Sung Geun Kim, Woong-Soon Song, Beom Su Kim, Chang Weon Rhee and Jinwon Park.

Kumho Asiana group’s KRW 4 trillion acquisition of Korea Express was the latest hot deal in Korea. Kumho Asiana group acquired 60% of the shares of Korea Express, a company in liquidation. Shin & Kim, representing Kumho Asiana, successfully completed the KRW 4 trillion M&A. In addition, Sung Geun Kim and two other attorneys of Shin & Kim are working on another major deal - SK Telecom’s acquisition of Hanaro Telecom.

Another noteworthy deal is FILA Korea’s acquisition of FILA Group shares, which was lead by Mr. Chang Weon Rhee and Jinwon Park. It was the first case a domestic subsidiary acquired the parent company of a global company, which was the world’s 5th largest sportswear brand. In the process of acquiring the head group’s shares, Shin & Kim represented FILA Korea and advised the financing contract with Koran banks and investment in the new FILA holding companies.

Chang Weon Rhee of Shin & Kim shared his other M&A experience: “For me, the most memorable case was representing GE Capital when it invested in Hyundai Capital and Hyundai Card. Acquisition of Hyundai Capital in 2004 was immediately followed by GE’s acquisition of Hyundai Card in 2005.” Mr. Rhee adds, “Both deals completed successfully. We were very proud of the significant growth of Hyundai Capital and Hyundai Card after the deals.”

Jun Ki Lee, attorney at Bae, Kim & Lee points out that, “Shin & Kim doesn’t rely on just one or two star players. All members of Shin & Kim are talented.” Mr. Lee further comments that, “That is the key of Shin & Kim’s continued fame.”

* Source: Article from Seoul Newspaper (2008.3.19); Reporter Yi Suk Oh