YOON&YANG
Zunu Lee Partner
이준우 변호사.jpg
  • TEL 82 2 6003 7527
  • FAX 82 2 6003 7009
  • E-MAIL
Zunu Lee is a partner at Yoon & Yang LLC, and his main practice areas are international trade (inbound & outbound investments), international JV, M&A, collective investment, securities & financial transaction/regulation, and international arbitration & mediation.
Mr. Lee has handled corporate cross-border transactions, such as cross-border M&A, corporate restructuring, and JV. He has also expanded his practice to acquisition financing, collective investment, securities & financial regulations, and international arbitrations & mediations arising out of various corporate cross-border transactions.

Experience

  • 2003-present Yoon & Yang LLC
  • 2023-present Legal advisory member, Korea Specialty Contractor Financial Cooperative
  • 2022-present Chairman, China Asia Subcommittee, International Committee, Korean Bar Association
  • 2021-present International Arbitrator, KCAB International
  • 2017-present Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board
  • 2014-present Advisory Member, Legal Counsels for Small and Medium Business Overseas Expansion, Ministry of Justice
  • 2015-18 Member, International Relations Committee, Korean Bar Association
  • 2007-08 Debevoise & Plimpton (New York)
  • 2001-03 Yoon & Partners

Education

  • 2007 New York University School of Law, LL.M.
  • 2001 Judicial Training and Research Institute
  • 1996 Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration, Course Completion
  • 1993 Seoul National University College of Law, LL.B.

Representative Matters

[Cross-Border Transactions]
  • Shinhan Card’s acquisition of 100% stake in Prudential Vietnam Finance Company (2017-18, pending) - While the target is a Vietnamese subsidiary of Prudential Holdings, the transaction itself was a genuine cross-border transaction b/w a U.K. seller (rep. by Freshfields) and Korean purchaser (rep. by Yoon & Yang), negotiated in Hong Kong
  • Cammsys VINA’s procurement of investment capital by issuance of new shares to STIC investment fund (2018)
  • Samgong SG’s acquisition of Vietnamese fertilizer company (2017-18, pending)
  • Korean crypto currency trader’s global investment in Southeast Asia and South America (2018, pending)
  • SK Networks’ investment in Vietnam to conduct retail and rental business (2017-18, pending)
  • D Group’s acquisition of concrete pile company in Vietnam (2017-18, pending)
  • Olympus Capital Asia’s private debt fund registration in Korea (2017-18)
  • Oracle Korea’s acquisition of Mircos Fidelio Korea (2016-2017)
  • GHIF’s debt investment in Access Bio (a U.S. company listed in KOSDAQ market) by way of acquiring convertible bonds (2015-16) - Funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GHIF is an investment fund focused on global healthcare-bio industry
  • SKC’s formation of international JV with Mitsui Chemicals (2014-15)
  • Fair Friend Group (Taiwan)’s acquisition of a Korean machinery company (2014)
  • GHIF’s equity and debt investment in EuBiologics (2014)
  • Orix Savings Bank’s acquisition of Smile Savings Bank (2013)
  • German auto parts company’s acquisition of a Korean company (2013)
  • Stahl’s investment in a Korean hot melt sheet manufacturer (2013)
  • Qualcomm’s acquisition of shares in Pantech by way of debt-to-equity conversion and acquisition of additional shares (2009-2013)
  • International SOS’ acquisition of a Korean company and subsequent merger between subsidiaries (2012-13)
  • Attempted refinancing for Hanoi Landmark 72 project (2012)
  • Woongjin Chemical’s sale of Indonesian subsidiary (2012)
  • Sale of controlling shares in SsangYong E&C (2011-2012)
  • SKC’s formation of JV with Evonik Degussa (2010-2011)
  • Schott AG’s transfer of licenses to LG Chem and construction of panel glass manufacturing facility (2009-2010)
  • SKC Haas Korea’s acquisition of shares in SKC Haas USA (2008)
  • Sale of assets of SKC Eurodisplay to SKC Haas Polska (2008)
  • SK Chemical’s attempt to acquire the Face Shop at USD 300 million from Affinity funds (2008)
  • Defense of hostile takeover attempt against Woori Home Shopping (2005)
  • Sale of Inchon Oil Refinery at USD 3 billion (2002-2005)
  • Sale of Assets of Hanbo Iron & Steel at USD 800 million (2001-2004)
  • Samick’s acquisition of Bechstein piano (2003)
  • Templeton fund’s acquisition of shares in Kodaco (2002)
  • Nutrasweet’s acquisition of aspartame division of Daesang (2002)
  • Youngan’s acquisition of Clark (heavy vehicle) (2002)

[Corporate Advisory Works for Multinational Clients]
  • British American Tobacco’s launch of Korea business including establishment of factory and regulatory matters
  • International SOS’ Korean business including acquisition of a Korean company, subsequent merger and corporate legal matters involving its Korean business
  • IPG Photonics’ Korean corporate legal works and FTA related investigation matter
  • Sanofi’s general corporate works involving its 4 Korean subsidiaries
  • Hanwha Total (formerly Samsung Total) on its Korean business-related corporate works and regulatory matters
  • Intel Korea’s contract matters in its Korean business
  • Tredegar Film Product’s all aspects of legal matters involving its Korean business
  • Sodexo’s Korean business including general corporate works and attempted acquisition of a Korean company
  • Bosch Korea on its general corporate matters and regulatory issues
  • Atrenta’s establishment of Korean entity and subsequent corporate advisory works
  • Engel machinery on its Korean investment to set up a manufacturing facility
  • Hyundai Thanh Cong’s legal/contract matters involving its Vietnamese vehicle manufacturing business
  • UOB Ho Chi Minh Branch’s Vietnamese banking law matters
  • Enercon’s corporate/labor/environment matters in Vietnam
  • Advised on various aspects of financial/securities regulations for Orix Group, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, Genesis Asset Management, Brandes (management investment company), U.S. Bank National Association, Qualcomm, International SOS, Fair Friend Group, Heidrick and Struggles, IPG Photonics, Tredegar Film Products, Ingredien, Accenture, BNP Paribas, etc.
  • Advised on securities custodial issues for Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Citibank N.A., State Street Bank, Deutsch Bank and Trust Company and Northern Trust Company, etc.

[International Arbitrations and Disputes]
  • Air Liquide v. Dongbu Steel (ICC, Seoul): represented Dongbu Steel
  • SK Hynix v. Toshiba, Sandisk (litigations in Japan and the U.S.): advised SK Hynix
  • Oto Melara v. Hyundai WIA (ICC, Paris): represented Oto Melara (Italian artillery manufacturer)
  • LyondellBassell v. Polymirae (Mediation, Singapore): represented Polymirae, JV of LB and Daelim
  • AK Capital v. Hanbo Steel (ICC, Hong Kong): represented Hanbo Steel
  • AK Capital v. KAMCO (Korea Asset Management Corp.)(NY litigation): advised KAMCO
  • SKC v. Evonik (Dispute negotiation): represented SKC
  • Olympus Capital v. KEB Card (ICC, Hong Kong): represented KEB Card
  • C&M v. Olympus Capital (ICC, Hong Kong): represented C&M
  • Hyundai Corp. v Thailand company (litigation in Thailand): advised Hyundai Corp.
  • Haelim Sinsung v. Guo Hong Xin Da (HKIAC, Hong Kong): represented Haelim Sinsung
  • Hyosung’s dispute with Vietnamese steel vendor: represented Hyosung on its negotiation
  • Hyundai E&C’s potential dispute involving overseas construction projects: advising Hyundai E&C
  • Daelim Industries’ potential dispute involving overseas construction projects: advising Daelim Industries

Awards

  • Notable Practitioner, M&A, IFLR1000 (2020-2023)

Publications

  • Korea Chapter, “M&A Guide 2011” & “M&A Guide 2012,” Global Legal Insights
  • Korea Chapter, “Mergers and Acquisitions Handbook,” PLC, 2010, 2011, 2012
  • Korea Chapter, “M&A Guide” IFLR 2012, 2013

Insights