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Dong-Seok (Johan) OH Attorney

T.+82-2-3703-1955 F.+82-2-737-9091/9092
Dong-Seok (Johan) OH Attorney
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Dong-Seok (Johan) OH Attorney

Dong-Seok (Johan) OH Attorney

T.+82-2-3703-1955 F.+82-2-737-9091/9092 E.dsoh@kimchang.com

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Areas of Expertise

Bio

Dong-Seok (Johan) Oh is an attorney at Kim & Chang. He practices primarily in the areas of international arbitration and cross-border litigation, energy and resources, project finance, outbound practice, and international litigation matters. 

Mr. Oh represents a diverse range of clients from various jurisdictions in international arbitration proceedings, predominantly under the rules of the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), KCAB (Korean Commercial Arbitration Board), AAA (American Arbitration Association), LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration) and SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre), and is also serving as an arbitrator in the Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and the KCAB. 

Mr. Oh has in-depth understanding and knowledge in international arbitration disputes related to various fields such as energy, construction, shipbuilding, offshore projects, M&As, international trade, and corporate governance. In particular, through his time serving as the general counsel of the International Legal Team of Hyundai Heavy Industries group, he handled various projects related to shipbuilding, industrial plants and power generation facilities, overseas construction, and offshore projects, among others. By utilizing such relevant legal knowledge and extensive practical experience, Mr. Oh contributed to the development of the arbitration field related to energy, shipbuilding, and construction. 

In addition to providing legal advice on such disputes, Mr. Oh also advises clients on various types of domestic and overseas projects, including industrial plants and power generation facilities, oil and gas, infrastructure, and PPP projects, as well as recent projects related to renewable energy such as wind power, solar power, fuel cell, and hydrogen energy. His works span across the globe, covering regions such as South East Asia, India, Middle East, Africa and North/South America. 

Prior to joining Kim & Chang, Mr. Oh served as a judge in the Suwon District Court (1999-2001). He also served as a general counsel of International Legal Team of Hyundai Heavy Industries group (2009-2011), handling various legal matters regarding energy, shipbuilding, construction, and offshore project. He is a member of the Korean Bar Association (1996) and the New York Bar Association (2007), and a member of the world-renowned associations of arbitrators, the IAI (International Arbitration Institute) in Paris and the IPBA (Inter-Pacific Bar Association). 

In addition, Mr. Oh was selected as one of the Best Lawyers in the outbound practice field in a survey conducted upon in-house legal counsels by Chosun Ilbo in 2014, and was also named as a Leading Individual by renowned media outlets in and outside Korea, including Who's Who Legal, Legal 500, and Legal Times. 

Mr. Oh received his LL.B. from Seoul National University, and his LL.M from Columbia Law School. He also attended the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea. He is admitted to the Korean bar and the New York bar.

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Profile

Experience

Kim & Chang (2001-2009, 2012-2019, 2021.7.-Present)

Outside Director, HD Huyndai Energy Solutions co.,ltd.(2019-2024.3.)

Partner, KL Partners (2019-2021.6.)

International Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (2018-Present)

Advisory Committee Member, LH Overseas City Development Support Center, Korea Land and Housing Corporation (2016-Present)

Arbitrator, Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) (2014.8.-Present)

Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (2014-Present)

General Counsel, International Legal Team, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (2009.12.-2011.12.)

Visiting Attorney, ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris (2007)

International Lawyer, Shearman & Sterling, New York (2006-2007)

Judge, Suwon District Court (1999-2001)

Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Air Force (1996-1999)

Representative Mattersshow

International Arbitration
 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a European submarine parts supplier in a dispute concerning technology transfer agreement. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented Korean companies against a Vietnamese state-owned enterprise in a dispute concerning EPC contract. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean construction company against a US real estate investment company in a dispute concerning joint venture agreement for establishing a large-scale new town. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented Korean companies against a Korean government-affiliated agency in a dispute concerning the sale and control of a Korean financial services company. This is one of the biggest arbitration cases ever concerning Korean companies, with a project value in excess of USD 3 billion. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean joint venture company against foreign investors in a dispute concerning joint venture. This is one of the biggest arbitration cases in Latin America in the ICC arbitration history. 
  • LMAA arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a European marine drilling company in a dispute concerning termination of semi-submarine drilling rig building agreement. 
  • LMAA arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a foreign ship owner in a dispute concerning Multipurpose Offshore Construction Vessel building agreement. 
  • LMAA arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a European ship owner in a dispute concerning shipbuilding agreement. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean construction company against a multinational consortium in a dispute concerning the Africa-based combined-cycle thermal power plant project. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean energy company against a German manufacturing company in a dispute concerning the supply agreement of solar photovoltaic parts. 
  • Ad hoc/UNCITRAL arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean construction company against an Indian government-affiliated agency in disputes concerning EPC contract. 
  • KCAB arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean automobile manufacturer against an Indonesian local agent in a dispute concerning automobile Supply Agreement/Technical License Agreement. 
  • SIAC arbitration case where he successfully represented a German automobile parts manufacturer against a Korean company in a dispute concerning wrongful termination in a joint venture contract. 
  • AAA/ICDR arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean manufacturer against a US importer/dealer in a dispute concerning supply agreement and infringement of patent right. 
  • SIAC arbitration case where he successfully represented a US financial company against a Korean insurance company in a dispute concerning the exercise of call options. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a US pharmaceutical company against a Korean distributor in a dispute concerning the termination of distribution agreement and negligence in manufacturing. 
  • ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Japanese electronics company against a Korean electronics company in a dispute concerning the non-performance of patent assignment agreement. 
  • A number of ad hoc arbitration cases where he successfully represented Korean general trading companies against Chinese trading companies in disputes concerning sales contract. 
  • A number of ad hoc arbitration cases where he successfully represented Korean shipyards against European purchasers in disputes concerning sale and purchase agreements of steel products. 
  • Ad hoc arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean reinsurance company against a foreign reinsurance company in a dispute concerning claims for unpaid reinsurance proceeds and losses under treaty and voluntary insurance.
 
Outbound Energy Projects
 
  • Advised a Korean company on a hydrogen project in Oman. 
  • Advised a Korean construction company on a hydropower project in Indonesia. 
  • Advised a Korean energy company on a combined cycle power plant project in India. 
  • Advised a power plant on the acquisition of a German boiler manufacturing company. 
  • Advised a Korean energy company on a solar photovoltaic project in Nevada, USA. 
  • Advised on the acquisition of a Canadian company manufacturing fuel cell for automobiles. 
  • Advised a Korean energy company on the acquisition of a US company manufacturing blades for wind power generation. 
  • Advised a Korean shipbuilding company on a joint venture project with a Brazilian local partner to build shipyards in Brazil. 
  • Advised a Korean construction equipment company on the establishment of a manufacturing plant for construction equipment in Brazil. 
  • Advised on the acquisition of a UAE company manufacturing/distributing transformers. 
  • Advised a Korean construction company on a combined cycle power plant and desalination project in Bahrain. 
  • Advised a Korean construction company on a GTL construction project in Qatar. 
  • Advised a Korean construction company on a combined cycle power plant and desalination project in Nigeria. 
  • Advised a Korean construction company on a housing and infrastructure project in Libya. 
  • Advised a Korean construction company on a housing complex development project in Iraq.

Representative Activitiesshow

Awards

  • Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific: International arbitration (Delinian, 2024)
  • Thought Leader, Who’s Who Legal: Construction (Who’s Who Legal, 2023-2024)
  • Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 (Delinian, 2023-2024)
  • Stand-out Lawyer - Independently Rated Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, 2023-2025)
  • Client Choice Awards - Construction (Lexology, 2022)
  • Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 (Edition 32) (Euromoney, 2022)
  • Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Construction (Who’s Who Legal, 2019, 2022-2024)
  • Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Korea, Construction & Real Estate (Who’s Who Legal, 2019, 2022-2023)
  • Leading Individual, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Projects and Energy (Legalease, 2019)
  • Client Choice Awards - Arbitration & ADR (Lexology, 2018)
  • Leading Lawyer, Legal Times: International Arbitration (Legal Times, 2017, 2019)
  • Best Lawyer in 2014, Outbound Practice Field (Chosun-Ilbo, 2014)

Publications/Activities
    • Trends in Various Jurisdictions on Construction Law (Society of Construction Law, 2018) 
    • Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Know-How - Construction Arbitration: Korea Chapter (Co-author, Law Business Research, 2013)

Education

    Columbia Law School (LL.M., 2006) 

    Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (1996) 

    Seoul National University (LL.B., 1993)

Qualifications

    Admitted to bar, Korea, 1996; New York, 2007

Languages

Korean and English

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Dong-Seok (Johan) OH
Attorney


T. +82-2-3703-1955      
F. +82-2-737-9091/9092      
  




Dong-Seok (Johan) Oh is an attorney at Kim & Chang. He practices primarily in the areas of international arbitration and cross-border litigation, energy and resources, project finance, outbound practice, and international litigation matters. 

Mr. Oh represents a diverse range of clients from various jurisdictions in international arbitration proceedings, predominantly under the rules of the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), KCAB (Korean Commercial Arbitration Board), AAA (American Arbitration Association), LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration) and SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre), and is also serving as an arbitrator in the Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and the KCAB. 

Mr. Oh has in-depth understanding and knowledge in international arbitration disputes related to various fields such as energy, construction, shipbuilding, offshore projects, M&As, international trade, and corporate governance. In particular, through his time serving as the general counsel of the International Legal Team of Hyundai Heavy Industries group, he handled various projects related to shipbuilding, industrial plants and power generation facilities, overseas construction, and offshore projects, among others. By utilizing such relevant legal knowledge and extensive practical experience, Mr. Oh contributed to the development of the arbitration field related to energy, shipbuilding, and construction. 

In addition to providing legal advice on such disputes, Mr. Oh also advises clients on various types of domestic and overseas projects, including industrial plants and power generation facilities, oil and gas, infrastructure, and PPP projects, as well as recent projects related to renewable energy such as wind power, solar power, fuel cell, and hydrogen energy. His works span across the globe, covering regions such as South East Asia, India, Middle East, Africa and North/South America. 

Prior to joining Kim & Chang, Mr. Oh served as a judge in the Suwon District Court (1999-2001). He also served as a general counsel of International Legal Team of Hyundai Heavy Industries group (2009-2011), handling various legal matters regarding energy, shipbuilding, construction, and offshore project. He is a member of the Korean Bar Association (1996) and the New York Bar Association (2007), and a member of the world-renowned associations of arbitrators, the IAI (International Arbitration Institute) in Paris and the IPBA (Inter-Pacific Bar Association). 

In addition, Mr. Oh was selected as one of the Best Lawyers in the outbound practice field in a survey conducted upon in-house legal counsels by Chosun Ilbo in 2014, and was also named as a Leading Individual by renowned media outlets in and outside Korea, including Who's Who Legal, Legal 500, and Legal Times. 

Mr. Oh received his LL.B. from Seoul National University, and his LL.M from Columbia Law School. He also attended the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea. He is admitted to the Korean bar and the New York bar.






    Kim & Chang (2001-2009, 2012-2019, 2021.7.-Present)

    Outside Director, HD Huyndai Energy Solutions co.,ltd.(2019-2024.3.)

    Partner, KL Partners (2019-2021.6.)

    International Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (2018-Present)

    Advisory Committee Member, LH Overseas City Development Support Center, Korea Land and Housing Corporation (2016-Present)

    Arbitrator, Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) (2014.8.-Present)

    Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (2014-Present)

    General Counsel, International Legal Team, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (2009.12.-2011.12.)

    Visiting Attorney, ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris (2007)

    International Lawyer, Shearman & Sterling, New York (2006-2007)

    Judge, Suwon District Court (1999-2001)

    Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Air Force (1996-1999)






International Arbitration
 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a European submarine parts supplier in a dispute concerning technology transfer agreement. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented Korean companies against a Vietnamese state-owned enterprise in a dispute concerning EPC contract. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean construction company against a US real estate investment company in a dispute concerning joint venture agreement for establishing a large-scale new town. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented Korean companies against a Korean government-affiliated agency in a dispute concerning the sale and control of a Korean financial services company. This is one of the biggest arbitration cases ever concerning Korean companies, with a project value in excess of USD 3 billion. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean joint venture company against foreign investors in a dispute concerning joint venture. This is one of the biggest arbitration cases in Latin America in the ICC arbitration history. 
  •   LMAA arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a European marine drilling company in a dispute concerning termination of semi-submarine drilling rig building agreement. 
  •   LMAA arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a foreign ship owner in a dispute concerning Multipurpose Offshore Construction Vessel building agreement. 
  •   LMAA arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean shipyard against a European ship owner in a dispute concerning shipbuilding agreement. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean construction company against a multinational consortium in a dispute concerning the Africa-based combined-cycle thermal power plant project. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean energy company against a German manufacturing company in a dispute concerning the supply agreement of solar photovoltaic parts. 
  •   Ad hoc/UNCITRAL arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean construction company against an Indian government-affiliated agency in disputes concerning EPC contract. 
  •   KCAB arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean automobile manufacturer against an Indonesian local agent in a dispute concerning automobile Supply Agreement/Technical License Agreement. 
  •   SIAC arbitration case where he successfully represented a German automobile parts manufacturer against a Korean company in a dispute concerning wrongful termination in a joint venture contract. 
  •   AAA/ICDR arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean manufacturer against a US importer/dealer in a dispute concerning supply agreement and infringement of patent right. 
  •   SIAC arbitration case where he successfully represented a US financial company against a Korean insurance company in a dispute concerning the exercise of call options. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a US pharmaceutical company against a Korean distributor in a dispute concerning the termination of distribution agreement and negligence in manufacturing. 
  •   ICC arbitration case where he successfully represented a Japanese electronics company against a Korean electronics company in a dispute concerning the non-performance of patent assignment agreement. 
  •   A number of ad hoc arbitration cases where he successfully represented Korean general trading companies against Chinese trading companies in disputes concerning sales contract. 
  •   A number of ad hoc arbitration cases where he successfully represented Korean shipyards against European purchasers in disputes concerning sale and purchase agreements of steel products. 
  •   Ad hoc arbitration case where he successfully represented a Korean reinsurance company against a foreign reinsurance company in a dispute concerning claims for unpaid reinsurance proceeds and losses under treaty and voluntary insurance.
 
Outbound Energy Projects
 
  •   Advised a Korean company on a hydrogen project in Oman. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction company on a hydropower project in Indonesia. 
  •   Advised a Korean energy company on a combined cycle power plant project in India. 
  •   Advised a power plant on the acquisition of a German boiler manufacturing company. 
  •   Advised a Korean energy company on a solar photovoltaic project in Nevada, USA. 
  •   Advised on the acquisition of a Canadian company manufacturing fuel cell for automobiles. 
  •   Advised a Korean energy company on the acquisition of a US company manufacturing blades for wind power generation. 
  •   Advised a Korean shipbuilding company on a joint venture project with a Brazilian local partner to build shipyards in Brazil. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction equipment company on the establishment of a manufacturing plant for construction equipment in Brazil. 
  •   Advised on the acquisition of a UAE company manufacturing/distributing transformers. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction company on a combined cycle power plant and desalination project in Bahrain. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction company on a GTL construction project in Qatar. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction company on a combined cycle power plant and desalination project in Nigeria. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction company on a housing and infrastructure project in Libya. 
  •   Advised a Korean construction company on a housing complex development project in Iraq.





Awards

  •   Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific: International arbitration (Delinian, 2024)
  •   Thought Leader, Who’s Who Legal: Construction (Who’s Who Legal, 2023-2024)
  •   Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 (Delinian, 2023-2024)
  •   Stand-out Lawyer - Independently Rated Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, 2023-2025)
  •   Client Choice Awards - Construction (Lexology, 2022)
  •   Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 (Edition 32) (Euromoney, 2022)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Construction (Who’s Who Legal, 2019, 2022-2024)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Korea, Construction & Real Estate (Who’s Who Legal, 2019, 2022-2023)
  •   Leading Individual, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Projects and Energy (Legalease, 2019)
  •   Client Choice Awards - Arbitration & ADR (Lexology, 2018)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Legal Times: International Arbitration (Legal Times, 2017, 2019)
  •   Best Lawyer in 2014, Outbound Practice Field (Chosun-Ilbo, 2014)

Publications/Activities

  •   Trends in Various Jurisdictions on Construction Law (Society of Construction Law, 2018) 
  •   Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Know-How - Construction Arbitration: Korea Chapter (Co-author, Law Business Research, 2013)





Education

    Columbia Law School (LL.M., 2006) 

    Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (1996) 

    Seoul National University (LL.B., 1993)


Qualifications

    Admitted to bar, Korea, 1996; New York, 2007


Languages
  •    Korean and English





International Arbitration & Cross-Border Litigation ,  Energy ,  Project Finance ,  International Practice ,  Vietnam ,  Indonesia