Skip Navigation
Menu

Antitrust & Competition Litigation “Strong reputation for successfully representing appeal cases before the Korea Fair Trade Commission.”
– Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018

Overview

Kim & Chang, Korea’s largest law firm, has a group of highly experienced lawyers who specialize in all cases related to the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act (“MRFTA”).  Our Antitrust & Competition Litigation Practice has over 100 professionals including attorneys who specialize in antitrust law, renowned economists, and advisors who were former senior officials of the Korea Fair Trade Commission ("KFTC").  

Our Practice has unrivaled experience and expertise in all aspects of antitrust and competition law in Korea.  We also have litigators who were former judges and prosecutors.  Working closely with industry-specific experts, we provide a wealth of experience and expertise in advising and defending our clients in antitrust litigations as well as in administrative actions where KFTC dispositions are appealed to the high court and the Supreme Court.  We also advise and defend our clients in private damage compensation lawsuits and in criminal proceedings.

One-Stop Service

Our Practice offers a “one-stop” service, aiming to provide solutions to complex disputes.  We work closely with other practices in the firm, representing our clients in administrative litigation, civil litigation, and criminal proceedings that arise from measures taken by the KFTC.

Experience and Comprehensive Resolution Strategy

We are the oldest law firm in Korea to have advised clients from around the world in connection with antitrust and competition law matters.  Over the years, we have accumulated unmatched experience and know-how.  Every year, we represent and advise clients in more cases, including KFTC investigations and proceedings, civil damage compensation lawsuits, and criminal proceedings, than any other law firm in Korea.  What sets us apart from other law firms is that we provide comprehensive solutions to various issues, utilizing our experience and expertise that cover many industries.

Top Personnel in Diverse Areas

Kim & Chang has more than 100 professionals that specialize in antitrust law, including litigators who were formerly antitrust judges and prosecutors, advisors who are former officials of the KFTC, in-house economists and researchers specializing in industrial organization and econometrics, certified public accountants and patent attorneys with expertise in antitrust-related accounting and intellectual property matters.

Customized Litigation Tailored to Specific Industries

We recognize that understanding each client’s industry and employing industry-specific professionals who are knowledgeable about such characteristics are very important.  Based on our experience in antitrust law and our knowledge of the industry and related regulations, we provide comprehensive and strategic advice to our clients.  To this end, we assemble a customized team consisting of attorneys with appropriate expertise and industry experts in various fields including pharmaceutical, banking, insurance, energy, construction, electronic telecommunications, and entertainment.

Key Servicesshow

Appeal of KFTC’s Decision and Administrative Lawsuits 

Recognizing that outcome of litigation has a significant impact on our clients, our seasoned and highly capable litigators, together with our industry experts and advisors, conduct thorough research, fact-finding and evidence analyses during each phase of a KFTC proceeding.  As a result, we are fully prepared to successfully respond to any civil and/or criminal antitrust litigation stemming from KFTC decisions.


Antitrust Civil Compensation Litigation and Criminal Proceedings

The number of antitrust litigations arising from cartels has increased.  Accordingly, the need for a comprehensive and adaptable strategy to such litigations has also increased.  Members of our Practice has successfully advised and represented clients in administrative proceedings appealing KFTC decisions and in related civil and criminal litigations.  


Competition Compliance Programs

We offer comprehensive and custom-tailored competition compliance programs.  The consequences of failing to comply with competition laws are substantial, possibly leading to the imposition of heavy fines, civil damages claims, reputational damage, and even criminal sanctions.  It is, therefore, essential for companies, particularly those with global operations and/or with high turnover, to establish a sound risk management and internal control program.

Key Experienceshow

Our clients include pharmaceutical companies, banks, securities companies, private equity funds, insurance companies, energy companies, construction companies, entertainment companies, broadcasters, telecommunications service providers, software developers, hardware manufacturers, IT companies, chemical companies, retailers, consumer product manufacturers, luxury goods manufacturers, auto makers, and auto parts manufacturers.

 

Our success in defending our clients in KFTC antitrust and criminal cases is unmatched.  Some of our recent cartel and KFTC investigation cases where we obtained favorable outcomes include the following:

 
  • Advised oil refining companies in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Advised air carriers in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Advised online music producers in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Advised excavators in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Advised four oil refining companies in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Advised beverage companies in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Appeal of the KFTC’s decision rendered against the Korea Liquor Industry Association which alleged a price-fixing cartel among soju companies.
  • Appeal of the KFTC’s decision rendered against life insurance companies, which were alleged to have been involved in an interest rate-fixing cartel in relation to personal liability insurance. 
  • Appeal of the KFTC’s decision rendered against a leading ramen manufacturer which allegedly participated in a price-fixing cartel.
  • Appeal of the KFTC’s decision rendered against automobile manufacturers/sellers which allegedly participated in a price-fixing cartel.
  • Advised a digital wireless telecommunication manufacturer and related service providers in a KFTC investigation where the manufacturer was accused of abuse of market dominant position. 
  • Advised financial institutions in a case where they were accused of unfair collusive act.
  • Advised open market operators in a case where they were accused of abuse of market dominant positions. 
  • Advised convenience store headquarters in a case where they were accused of unfair trade practices. 
  • Advised and represented screen golf companies in a case where they were accused of unfair trade practices and in a related investigation by the Prosecutors’ Office.
  • Advised and represented mobile communications business operators in a case where they were sued for damages caused by alleged unfair solicitation of customers. 
  • Advised conglomerates in a case where they were accused of fraud. 
  • Advised steel companies, large distributors, MRO groups, financial institutions, etc. in cases where they were accused of unfair trade practices.
  • Advised shipbuilding companies in a case where they were accused of violation of subcontracting laws. 
  • Advised automobile parts manufacturers in a case where they were accused of violation of subcontracting laws.
  • Advised heavy industry companies in a case where they were accused of violation of subcontracting laws.
  • Advised home shopping companies in a case where they were accused of violation of the Act on Fair Transactions in Large Franchise and Retail Business.

Professionals

Key Contacts

Insights

Search Professionals

EXPERTISE RESET SEARCH

EXPERTISE

레이어 닫기

EXPERTISE

Close

Share

Close