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Kook Hyun YOO Attorney

T.+82-2-3703-1234 F.+82-2-737-9091/9092
Kook Hyun YOO Attorney
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Kook Hyun YOO Attorney

Kook Hyun YOOAttorney

T.+82-2-3703-1234 F.+82-2-737-9091/9092 E.khyoo@kimchang.com

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Areas of Expertise

Bio

Kook Hyun Yoo is a senior partner and heads the Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice and the Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance Practice of Kim & Chang.

Mr. Yoo is widely recognized as a veteran criminal defense attorney who has worked on many high-profile criminal defense cases involving both domestic and foreign-invested companies across a broad spectrum of industries. He has advised senior management of global companies in connection with complex investigations and enforcement actions involving various criminal enforcement and other regulatory authorities.

As the head of the Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice, Mr. Yoo has overseen a dramatic expansion of the firm’s traditional criminal defense practice to cover crisis management situations, corporate internal investigations and incidents involving corporate fraud, waste and abuse. Mr. Yoo has been involved in cross-border investigations involving careful coordination between the Korean and head office entities to respond to enforcement actions by Korean and relevant foreign authorities.

Another aspect of the expansion of the firm’s criminal defense practice has been the establishment of the Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance Practice, underscoring the importance of corruption-related matters (including those related to the US FCPA and UK Bribery Act) and corporate compliance in general.

Mr. Yoo is also the chair of the Aerospace & Defense Practice and has overseen the establishment of a group of dedicated attorneys who are familiar with government contracting practices as well as investigations, such as those relating to military classified information.

Mr. Yoo first joined Kim & Chang in 1978. A year later he was called to the Public Prosecutors’ Office to serve. After a distinguished 20-year career as a public prosecutor, during which he took part in and later supervised many complex criminal investigations. Mr. Yoo returned to the firm in 1999.

During his years of public service, Mr. Yoo served as the Human Rights Director of the Ministry of Justice and led the government delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1991-1992. Prior to rejoining the firm, he was the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Suwon District. For his public service, Mr. Yoo was awarded numerous honors from the government, including the Yellow Stripes Order of Service Merit and the Service Merit Medal.

Mr. Yoo received his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees from Seoul National University. He has also received an LL.M. degree from George Washington University. He is admitted to the Korean bar.

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Profile

Experience

  • Kim & Chang (1999-Present)
  • Member of Commission, National Human Rights Commission (2002-2003)
  • Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (1998-1999)
  • Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office (1997-1998)
  • Chief Prosecutor, Head of Kangnung District Prosecutors’ Office (1995-1997)
  • Senior Prosecutor, Director of 6th Criminal Department, Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office (1994-1995)
  • Senior Prosecutor, Director of General Affairs Department, Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office (1993-1994)
  • Senior Prosecutor, Director of 3rd Criminal Department, Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (1993)
  • Head of Korea Delegation to U.N. Human Rights Commission (1991-1992)
  • Director, Human Rights Division, Ministry of Justice (1990-1993)
  • Chief Prosecutor, Head of Yeongwol District Prosecutors’ Office (1989-1990)
  • Prosecutor, Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (1987-1989)
  • Prosecutor, Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office (1984-1987)
  • Prosecutor, Prosecution Bureau, Ministry of Justice (1983)
  • Prosecutor, Legal Affairs Office, Ministry of Justice (1980-1982)
  • Prosecutor, Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office (1979-1980)
  • Kim & Chang (1978-1979)
  • Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Army (1976-1978)

Representative Mattersshow

Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense
 
  • Represented a US nanomanufacturing technology company in an investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office under allegations that executives and employees engaged in infringement of trade secrets of a major customer in violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act. 
  • Represented a major Canadian aerospace and transportation company in investigations concerning a large-scale infrastructure project and allegations of misappropriation funds and public bribery.
  • Represented Asia office of a multinational investment banking firm in connection with an audit by the Financial Supervisory Service and an investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office into alleged unlicensed cross-border brokering activities in connection with marketing of foreign notes to Korean investors.
  • Represented an international automated optical inspection company in an investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office in an investigation against the headquarters and certain employees for their involvement in the alleged acquisition and misuse of confidential customer information related to OLED backplane technology.
  • Represented major US life insurance group in investigations by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office regarding alleged violations of Personal Information Protection Act.
  • Represented Korean major company, as well as the company’s chairman and executive officers, in connection with a National Tax Service and the Seoul Prosecutors' Office’s criminal investigation on its subsidiaries for tax fraud, embezzlement, and breach of trust.
 
Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance
 
  • Represented a major US IT company in conducting internal investigation and subsequent investigation by relevant Korean and US authorities in matter involving potential FCPA violation.
  • Represented a major US automotive company in conducting a global FCPA compliance audit including an audit of Finance and Customs functions to review how employees responded during periodic tax, customs and other regulatory audits.
 
Aerospace & Defense
 
  • Represented a major US aerospace and defense company in an investigation of commission agent concerning alleged acquisition of unauthorized military classified information.
  • Represented a European aerospace company in investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office regarding military classified information.

Representative Activitiesshow

Awards

  • External Counsel of the Year, In-House Community Commended External Counsel of the Year 2024 (In-House Community, 2024)
  • The A-List: Korea’s Top Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal (Vantage Asia, 2024)
  • Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Regulatory (Euromoney, 2021-2024)
  • The A-List: Korea’s Top 100 Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal (Vantage Asia, 2021)
  • Expert Guides: White Collar Crime (Expert Guides, 2020-2021)
  • Elite Practitioner, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Regulatory (Euromoney, 2020)
  • Leading Partners, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Regulatory Compliance and Investigations (Legalease, 2019-2025)
  • Leading Individual, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Dispute Resolution: White-Collar Crime (Chambers and Partners, 2017-2025)
  • Market Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Profiles (Euromoney, 2017)
  • World’s Leading Lawyer, Expert Guides: White Collar Crime (Euromoney, 2016, 2018)
  • Yellow Stripes Order of Service Merit (1997)
  • Service Merit Medal (1987)
  • President's Commendation (1983)

Publications/Activities
    • Human Rights in Korea (1992)
    • International Trade Conflict and Export Regulations (1985)

Education

    George Washington University Law Center, Washington, D.C. (LL.M., 1984) 

    Graduate School of Law, Seoul National University (LL.M., 1976) 

    Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (1975) 

    Seoul National University (LL.B., 1973)

Qualifications

    Admitted to bar, Korea, 1975

Languages

Korean and English

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Kook Hyun YOO
Attorney


T. +82-2-3703-1234      
F. +82-2-737-9091/9092      
  




Kook Hyun Yoo is a senior partner and heads the Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice and the Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance Practice of Kim & Chang.

Mr. Yoo is widely recognized as a veteran criminal defense attorney who has worked on many high-profile criminal defense cases involving both domestic and foreign-invested companies across a broad spectrum of industries. He has advised senior management of global companies in connection with complex investigations and enforcement actions involving various criminal enforcement and other regulatory authorities.

As the head of the Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice, Mr. Yoo has overseen a dramatic expansion of the firm’s traditional criminal defense practice to cover crisis management situations, corporate internal investigations and incidents involving corporate fraud, waste and abuse. Mr. Yoo has been involved in cross-border investigations involving careful coordination between the Korean and head office entities to respond to enforcement actions by Korean and relevant foreign authorities.

Another aspect of the expansion of the firm’s criminal defense practice has been the establishment of the Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance Practice, underscoring the importance of corruption-related matters (including those related to the US FCPA and UK Bribery Act) and corporate compliance in general.

Mr. Yoo is also the chair of the Aerospace & Defense Practice and has overseen the establishment of a group of dedicated attorneys who are familiar with government contracting practices as well as investigations, such as those relating to military classified information.

Mr. Yoo first joined Kim & Chang in 1978. A year later he was called to the Public Prosecutors’ Office to serve. After a distinguished 20-year career as a public prosecutor, during which he took part in and later supervised many complex criminal investigations. Mr. Yoo returned to the firm in 1999.

During his years of public service, Mr. Yoo served as the Human Rights Director of the Ministry of Justice and led the government delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1991-1992. Prior to rejoining the firm, he was the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Suwon District. For his public service, Mr. Yoo was awarded numerous honors from the government, including the Yellow Stripes Order of Service Merit and the Service Merit Medal.

Mr. Yoo received his Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws degrees from Seoul National University. He has also received an LL.M. degree from George Washington University. He is admitted to the Korean bar.






    •   Kim & Chang (1999-Present)
    •   Member of Commission, National Human Rights Commission (2002-2003)
    •   Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (1998-1999)
    •   Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office (1997-1998)
    •   Chief Prosecutor, Head of Kangnung District Prosecutors’ Office (1995-1997)
    •   Senior Prosecutor, Director of 6th Criminal Department, Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office (1994-1995)
    •   Senior Prosecutor, Director of General Affairs Department, Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office (1993-1994)
    •   Senior Prosecutor, Director of 3rd Criminal Department, Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (1993)
    •   Head of Korea Delegation to U.N. Human Rights Commission (1991-1992)
    •   Director, Human Rights Division, Ministry of Justice (1990-1993)
    •   Chief Prosecutor, Head of Yeongwol District Prosecutors’ Office (1989-1990)
    •   Prosecutor, Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (1987-1989)
    •   Prosecutor, Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office (1984-1987)
    •   Prosecutor, Prosecution Bureau, Ministry of Justice (1983)
    •   Prosecutor, Legal Affairs Office, Ministry of Justice (1980-1982)
    •   Prosecutor, Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office (1979-1980)
    •   Kim & Chang (1978-1979)
    •   Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Army (1976-1978)





Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense
 
  •   Represented a US nanomanufacturing technology company in an investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office under allegations that executives and employees engaged in infringement of trade secrets of a major customer in violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act. 
  •   Represented a major Canadian aerospace and transportation company in investigations concerning a large-scale infrastructure project and allegations of misappropriation funds and public bribery.
  •   Represented Asia office of a multinational investment banking firm in connection with an audit by the Financial Supervisory Service and an investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office into alleged unlicensed cross-border brokering activities in connection with marketing of foreign notes to Korean investors.
  •   Represented an international automated optical inspection company in an investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office in an investigation against the headquarters and certain employees for their involvement in the alleged acquisition and misuse of confidential customer information related to OLED backplane technology.
  •   Represented major US life insurance group in investigations by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office regarding alleged violations of Personal Information Protection Act.
  •   Represented Korean major company, as well as the company’s chairman and executive officers, in connection with a National Tax Service and the Seoul Prosecutors' Office’s criminal investigation on its subsidiaries for tax fraud, embezzlement, and breach of trust.
 
Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance
 
  •   Represented a major US IT company in conducting internal investigation and subsequent investigation by relevant Korean and US authorities in matter involving potential FCPA violation.
  •   Represented a major US automotive company in conducting a global FCPA compliance audit including an audit of Finance and Customs functions to review how employees responded during periodic tax, customs and other regulatory audits.
 
Aerospace & Defense
 
  •   Represented a major US aerospace and defense company in an investigation of commission agent concerning alleged acquisition of unauthorized military classified information.
  •   Represented a European aerospace company in investigation by the Seoul Prosecutors' Office regarding military classified information.





Awards

  •   External Counsel of the Year, In-House Community Commended External Counsel of the Year 2024 (In-House Community, 2024)
  •   The A-List: Korea’s Top Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal (Vantage Asia, 2024)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Regulatory (Euromoney, 2021-2024)
  •   The A-List: Korea’s Top 100 Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal (Vantage Asia, 2021)
  •   Expert Guides: White Collar Crime (Expert Guides, 2020-2021)
  •   Elite Practitioner, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Regulatory (Euromoney, 2020)
  •   Leading Partners, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Regulatory Compliance and Investigations (Legalease, 2019-2025)
  •   Leading Individual, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Dispute Resolution: White-Collar Crime (Chambers and Partners, 2017-2025)
  •   Market Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Profiles (Euromoney, 2017)
  •   World’s Leading Lawyer, Expert Guides: White Collar Crime (Euromoney, 2016, 2018)
  •   Yellow Stripes Order of Service Merit (1997)
  •   Service Merit Medal (1987)
  •   President's Commendation (1983)

Publications/Activities

  •   Human Rights in Korea (1992)
  •   International Trade Conflict and Export Regulations (1985)





Education

    George Washington University Law Center, Washington, D.C. (LL.M., 1984) 

    Graduate School of Law, Seoul National University (LL.M., 1976) 

    Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (1975) 

    Seoul National University (LL.B., 1973)


Qualifications

    Admitted to bar, Korea, 1975


Languages
  •    Korean and English





Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense ,  Anti-Corruption & Corporate Compliance ,  Corporate Governance & Shareholder Disputes ,  Aerospace & Defense