BARUN LAW

Legal Inquiry
Legal Inquiry

Attorney Choi Jae-woong is a specialist in the field of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). After completing the 38th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, he joined Barun Law LLC in 2009. Following broad experience in corporate advisory practice, he currently focuses on M&A, management control disputes, outbound investment, inbound foreign investment into Korea, and personal data protection advisory. Regionally, he is an Asia market specialist with experience covering China, North Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and CIS countries.

His major practice experience includes legal advisory in numerous M&A transactions, including:
- Sale advisory for YTN
- Lead sale manager and sale advisory for Kyungnam Pharm
- Advisory on the sale of shares in the Seoul Express Bus Terminal
- Advisory on the merger involving the Grand Hyatt Hotel
- Advisory on the acquisition of shares in Woori Financial Group
- Advisory on the sale of the semiconductor packaging business unit of AT Semicon
- Advisory on the acquisition of Zoo Coffee assets by Taeyoung Industrial
- Advisory on a hostile M&A involving Good People
- Advisory on the corporate split of Trigem Computer
- Advisory on the sale of SPP Shipbuilding
- Advisory on Hyundai Merchant Marine's acquisition of Banyan Tree Hotel
- Advisory on the establishment of a joint venture between Kolmar Korea and Canada-based Pharmascience

Mr. Choi has also been actively engaged in public service. He has served as:
- Advisory Member, Legal Advisory Group for Overseas Expansion of SMEs, Ministry of Justice (Republic of Korea) (2016–Present)
- Mediator, Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee (2023–Present)

As a regional expert, he previously served as:
- Advisory Member, Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Legal System Advisory Council, Ministry of Unification (Republic of Korea) (2018–2020)
- Research Member, North Korean Legal System Research Committee, Ministry of Justice (Republic of Korea) (2019–2020)

In addition, since 2025 he has participated in the management of Barun Law LLC as its youngest Operating Committee member.

Education

  • 2025University of North Korean Studies (major in North Korean Studies, Law and Administration)
  • 2018Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Advanced Management Program, Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • 2017Renmin University of China Law School (LL.M. Chinese Law)
  • 2013Seoul National University Advanced Law Research Program (New Prospects concerning Fair Trade)
  • 2012Graduate School of Law, Korea University (LL.M.) – majored in Commercial Law and Financial Law
  • 2009Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (38th)
  • 2008College of Law, Korea University (LL.B.)
  • 2006Passed the Bar Exam (48th), Korea
  • 1998Daeil Foreign Language High School – graduated Chinese Language Department

Experience

  • 2025 ~ PresentOperating Committee Member, Barun Law LLC
  • 2018 ~ PresentPartner, Barun Law LLC
  • 2024 ~ PresentMember, Seoul Golf Association Sports Fair Committee
  • 2023 ~ PresentMember, Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee
  • 2023 ~ PresentA legal counsel, Korea Expressway Corporation
  • 2016 ~ PresentAdvisor, Legal Advisory Committee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Doing Business Overseas
  • 2019 ~ 2020Research Member, North Korean Legislation Research Committee, Ministry of Justice
  • 2018 ~ 2020Advisor, Advisory Committee for Exchange and Cooperation Legislation, Ministry of Unification
  • 2014 ~ 2015Beijing DHH Law Firm
  • 2009 ~ 2017Associate, Barun Law LLC

Practice Areas and Representative Matters

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Advisory on the sale of shares in YTN Co., Ltd.
  • Legal advisory on the merger between HapagLloyd Korea Co., Ltd. and UASC Korea LLC
  • Legal advisory to NongHyup Grain Co., Ltd. on its merger with Muan RPC and the acquisition of assets from SeoAndong RPC
  • Legal advisory on the corporate spinoff of Erae Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.
  • Buyerside advisory to Daewon Cable Co., Ltd. on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Daewon EcoGreen Co., Ltd.
  • Legal advisory to NongHyup Grain Co., Ltd. on its merger with Iksan RPC and the acquisition of the business of Jincheon RPC
  • Legal advisory to Seoul Miramar LLC and Inmark Hospitality LLC on the absorptiontype merger of Seoul Miramar into Inmark
  • Legal advisory to NongHyup Grain Co., Ltd. on a business transfer transaction involving the transfer of agricultural production, storage, processing, sales, and distribution businesses from Buyeogun Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation
  • Sellerside advisory to JoongAng Expressway Co., Ltd. on the sale of a 5.54% equity interest in Seoul Express Bus Terminal Co., Ltd. to Shinsegae Central City Co., Ltd.
  • Buyerside advisory to Medytox Inc. on the acquisition of a 58.3% equity interest in Highway One Co., Ltd.
  • Buyerside advisory to the Woori Employee Stock Ownership Association in connection with the competitive bidding for the acquisition of a 10% stake in Woori Financial Group held by the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation
  • Advisory on the sale of the semiconductor packaging business division of AT Semicon Co., Ltd.
  • Buyerside advisory to Taewoong Logistics Co., Ltd. on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in TransAll Co., Ltd.
  • Advised Kyung Nam Pharm Co., Ltd. as M&A advisor and advised the company with regard to its sale procedure
  • Advised Good People Co., Ltd. on a hostile M&A case
  • Advising Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd. on the acquisition of the Banyan Tree Hotel
  • Advising Taeyoung F&B Co., Ltd. on the assignment of assets in relation to “Zoo Coffee”
  • Advising on the incorporation of a joint venture between a Canadian company, Pharmascience Inc., and Kolmar Korea Co., Ltd.
  • Advising Trigem Co., Ltd. on splitoff
  • Advising on the sale of SPP Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
  • Advising Canada's Discover Energy Corporation with regard to the acquisition of management rights of iQ Power Asia, a company subject to corporate rehabilitation, and overseas lending

Due Diligence, Post Management and Dispute Resolution concerning NonViable PEFs

  • Conducting due diligence on alternative investment funds investing in various underlying assets located in Britain, including real estate
  • Conducting due diligence on and making post response measures for alternative investment funds investing in real estate development projects in Germany
  • Conducting due diligence on and making post response measures for alternative investment funds investing in Italian health care private funds
  • Conducting due diligence on, making post response measures for and advising on collection of claims for several alternative investment funds investing in trade finance claims worldwide

Chinarelated Matters

  • Advisory on the establishment of a China joint venture for Young Toys, Inc.
  • Buyerside advisory on Pulmuone's acquisition of its Chongqing subsidiary in China
  • Representing Wangsu Science & Technology Co., Ltd., one of the largest CDN companies in China, concerning acquisition of shares of CDNetworks Co., Ltd.
  • Advising on the establishment of a joint venture between a Chinese company and a foreign company in Hefei, Anhui Province for manufacture and sale of semiconductors
  • Representing and advising China Merchants Bank on establishing a pledge over the bank's shares in KumhoTire
  • Advising Pigeon Corporation regarding the sale of Pigeon Supplies Co., Ltd., a subsidiary in China
  • Advising Leehan Corporation regarding the establishment of the Chongqing office in China
  • Providing legal advice to one of the wellknown celebrities in Korea with regard to holding an art exhibition in Shanghai
  • Advising a company on the construction of a highend hotel in Jejusi in a case against one of the largest real estate investment companies in China
  • Advising a Chinese company having the Asia Regional Office in China on acquiring the chemical division of one of the largest conglomerates in Korea
  • Advised on liquidation of太態贸易(上海)有限公司, the Chinese subsidiary of Taewoong Logistic Co., Ltd.

International Transactions (Licensing / Transactions)

  • Advising Diadora, an Italian sports brand, with regard to cancellation of exclusive licensing agreement with a Korean licensee and representing Diadora in litigation cases
  • Advising KangStem Biotech Co., Ltd. on setting exclusive distributorship and nonexclusive license in Korea and on technology pass down agreement concerning atopic dermatitis treatment drug based on umbilical cord blood stem cell with SK Bioland Co., Ltd.
  • Advising Hyungji Retail Co., Ltd. on executing a license agreement with a U.S. commercial agent
  • Advising TS Food & System on conclusion of Korea Popeyes franchise business

Privacy Protection

  • Advising Barclays Bank, Chubb, Societe Generale, Google and McDonald's on privacy protection
  • Representing and advising Naver Financial on compliance in connection with the policy on the use of private credit information
  • Advising Leehan Corporation to come up with response measures with regard to the disclosure of private information by the counterparty
  • Advising VDP on the collection and protection of privacy information, and others
  • Representing and advising LS Automotive Technologies on China's cyber security law

Publication(s)

  • 韩国个人信息自己决定权研究, Remin University of China, Master's Thesis, 2017
  • Commentaries on North Korean Legislation on Investing in North Korea (joint authorship), Pakyoungsa, 2018
  • Commentaries on Food Sanitation Act (joint authorship), Pakyoungsa, 2019

Recent Cases

[M&A] Case in Which Buyer-Side Legal Advisory Was Provided for SR Corporation's Acquisition of All Shares of Greensystem Co., Ltd.
[General Commercial / Civil Litigation] Case in Which Barun Law Secured the Dismissal of a Preliminary Injunction Application Seeking Suspension of an Election Filed by the KEB Hana Bank Branch of the Korean Financial Industry Union
[Construction & Real Estate] A Case Where We Represented Woori Asset Trust in Dismissing the Plaintiff's Entire Claim for Construction Payment and Damages (Approximately KRW 31 Billion) Related to the PF Project in Wondang-dong, Incheon
[Advisory] Legal Advisory on the Acquisition of Pulmuwon's Chongqing Subsidiary in China
[Construction & Real Estate] Barun Law Succeeds in Defending a Developer and Sales Company Against Buyers' Claims for Misrepresentation and Failure to Disclose Information
[Corporate Legal Affairs] Barun Law Provides Legal Advisory Services for Woori Bank's Liquidation of Overseas Assets (Approximately KRW 28.6 Billion)
[Financial Advisory] Completion of Advisory Services for Woori Bank Regarding the Sale of Special Bonds (Approx. USD140 million) in Q3
[Financial Advisory] Completion of Woori Bank’s Q2 Special Bond Sale Advisory (Approximately KRW 522.6 Billion)
[Corporate] Barun Law advises YoungToys Inc. on establishing a joint venture in China
[Advisory] Barun Law successfully advises on the sale of shares in YTN
[M&A] Barun Law advises Taewoong Logics on acquisition of all shares in Transall (approximately KRW 12.6 billion)
[Employment/Labor] Barun Law provided advisory service for an employee who was subject to the disposition of mandatory retirement for the entry of criminal conviction.
[M&A] Barun Law provided AT Semicon Co., Ltd. with advisory service in relation to the sale of its semiconductor packaging division (for about KRW72 billion).
[Advisory] We advised on the sale of 5.54% of shares in Seoul Express Bus Terminal (for about KRW53 billion)
[Advisory] We successfully provided advisory service for the employee stock association of Woori Financial Holdings with regard to a bid launched by Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation for 10% of shares in Woori Financial Holdings
[Advisory] Advice on the sale of shares in Seoul Express Bus Terminal held by a minority shareholder
[Advisory] Legal advisory service in relation to the termination of Popeyes franchise business by TS Food & System
[Corporate Advisory] Barun advised Vodafone Korea on liquidation.
[Finance] Barun advised on financing for the BOT project (about KRW320 billion) in relation to the southeastern logistics complex in Seoul.
[Finance] Barun completed due diligence of an Italian healthcare service in relation to a private equity fund
[M&A] Barun Law successfully closed the merger deal for the Grand Hyatt
[M&A] Barun Law successfully closed the sale and purchase deal with Buyeo RPC
[Advisory Service] Successfully provided corporate advisory service for China Merchants Bank, which is one of top 6 Chinese banks, in relation to pledge.
[Advisory] Represented Kyung Nam Pharm Co., Ltd. as leading manager in relation to the sale of business for the improvement of corporate governance.
[Advisory] Represented and advised Kang Stem Biotech Ltd. on an agreement with SK Bioland Co., Ltd. with regard to a local exclusive distributorship, a license and technology transfer of atopic dermatitis medicine manufactured with cord blood-derived stem cells
[Corporate Advisory] Provided legal advisory service for a client intending to incorporate a joint venture to manufacture and sell semiconductors in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
[Corporate Advisory] Represented Medytox with regard to the acquisition of shares in Highway1
[Corporate Advisory] Corporate Advisory Team advised English Egg on liquidating its Chinese subsidiary
[Corporate Advisory] Advise on merger of Hapag-Lloyd, German container shipping company and the Korean subsidiary of UASC, an Arab-based container shipping company
[Corporate Advisory] Barun Law, representing NH Food Grain, successfully finalizes merger with Muan RPC and assumption of West Andong RPC assets
[Corporate Advisory] Barun Law successfully finalizes spinoff of Erae Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.

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