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Regulatory Advice and Compliance in Korea

야경 도시 풍경

This practice advises foreign companies and their Korean subsidiaries on licensing and approvals, sector-specific regulatory requirements, responses to authority inspections and investigations, and administrative appeals against adverse decisions. Advice is given in English, at the level of detail a foreign legal or compliance team can act on without needing it re-explained.

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Where a regulatory decision affects a foreign investor, the analysis may extend beyond Korean administrative law to the protections available under an applicable investment treaty. That question is better raised early, while the administrative record is still being made, than after a decision has become final.

Examples of work

  • Market entry and licensing analysis for a new product or service

  • Foreign exchange filings for the establishment of subsidiaries, branches, liaison offices and joint ventures, and the registration of security interests over Korean assets

  • Responding to an inspection or information request from a Korean authority

  • Administrative appeal or litigation against a penalty or licence refusal

  • Ongoing compliance advice for a Korean subsidiary

  • Assessing investment treaty protections alongside administrative remedies

Selected Matters

  • ​Advised a European renewable energy developer on market entry into Korea, covering sectoral regulation, the approval process, and investment protection under Korean law.

  • Advised a US franchisor on market access restrictions under the Act on the Promotion of Mutually Beneficial Cooperation between Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises, and on available remedies.

  • Advised a defence supplier and Korean steelmakers on economic sanctions and export control requirements under Korean law.

  • Advised a US advertising agency on influencer agreements, including exclusivity terms and compliance with the Act on Fair Labeling and Advertising.

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