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Jay AHN Attorney

T.+82-2-3703-1058 F.+82-2-737-9091/9092
Jay AHN Attorney
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Jay AHN Attorney

Jay AHNAttorney

T.+82-2-3703-1058 F.+82-2-737-9091/9092 E.jhahn@kimchang.com

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Areas of Expertise

Bio

Jay Ahn is an attorney at Kim & Chang. He practices primarily in the areas of antitrust and competition, insurance, mergers & acquisitions, Japan, corporate governance and foreign direct investment. He serves as the chair of the firm’s Insurance Practice.

Mr. Ahn’s antitrust and competition practice focuses on cartel, abuse of dominance, merger filings and other anti-competitive issues. He also serves as defense counsel in complex competition law litigation cases. For the past three decades, Mr. Ahn has represented clients in a wide range of industries, such as the software, information technology, telecommunications, insurance, banking, paper, power cable, pharmaceutical, motion picture, airline and construction industries. 

As chair of the firm's Insurance Practice, Mr. Ahn has experience with a variety of insurance transactions and regulatory matters. These include mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, license applications, regulatory compliance and regulatory examinations. He works extensively with Korean and multinational insurance companies, reinsurance companies, brokers and other participants in the insurance industry. 

In addition to his legal practice in Korea, Mr. Ahn was a visiting attorney at Proskauer Rose Goetz and Mendelsohn's New York office in 2004 and 2005. Since 2003, Mr. Ahn has also acted as an advisor to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), serving as a member of the Competition Policy Advisory Committee to the KFTC. In this capacity, Mr. Ahn has helped the Korean competition authorities establish policies on leniency programs. 

Mr. Ahn received an LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1994 and an LL.B. from College of Law, Seoul National University in 1984. He also received training from the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea in 1985. He is admitted to the Korea bar and New York bar.

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Profile

Experience

Task Force for International Competition Law Compliance Program, Korean Chamber of Commerce (2009)

Member, Anti-Cartel Advisory Committee of Fair Trade Commission (2004-2013)

Member, International Cooperation Advisory Committee of Fair Trade Commission (2003-2013)

Member, Insolvent Insurance Company Restructuring Review Committee (2002)

Visiting Attorney, Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn, New York (1994-1995)

Kim & Chang (1989-Present)

Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Navy (1986-1989)

Representative Mattersshow

Antitrust & Competition
 
  • Represented a global database company in the KFTC's tying and abuse of dominance case 
  • Represented a global software company in the KFTC’s investigation of tying and abuse of dominance. 
  • Represented a reinsurance company in the KFTC’s abuse of dominance case 
  • Represented a global pharmaceutical company’s Korean subsidiary in the KFTC's investigation of unfair inducement of customers. 
  • Represented a global electronics company in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing. 
  • Represented a global air cargo company in the KFTC’s investigation of surcharge price-fixing. 
  • Represented a global motion picture company in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing and unfair trade practices. 
  • Represented Korean life insurance companies in the KFTC's investigation of interest rate fixing. 
  • Represented Korean non-life insurance companies in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing. 
  • Represented a Korean construction company in the KFTC’s investigation of bid-rigging. 
  • Represented a Korean cable company in the EC’s investigation of bid-rigging. 
  • Represented a global bearing company in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing. 
 
Insurance
 
  • Represented life insurance companies in an immediate annuity case. 
  • Represented life insurance companies in a suicide claim case. 
  • Represented a global life insurance company in its acquisition of a life insurance company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global life insurance company in its acquisition of 50% stake in its joint venture life insurance company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global life insurance company in its investment in an asset management company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global life insurance company in its sale of 50% stake in its joint venture life insurance company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global non-life insurance company in its acquisition of an online auto insurance company in Korea. 
  • Represented global life and non-life insurance companies in their obtaining life and non-life insurance business licenses in Korea. 
  • Represented global reinsurance companies in their obtaining reinsurance business licenses in Korea. 
  • Advised a global life insurance company’s Korean branch on converting to a subsidiary in Korea. 
  • Advised a global non-life insurance company’s Korean branch on converting to a subsidiary in Korea. 
  • Represented global reinsurance companies in their litigation with Korean ceding companies.
  • Assisted an international non-life insurance company in obtaining insurance branch license from financial regulatory authorities.
  • Advised a Korean life insurance company during the audit by financial regulatory authorities.
 
Mergers & Acquisitions
 
  • Represented a PEF in its acquisition of a life insurance company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global telecommunication company in its investment in the third largest mobile telecommunication company in Korea. 
  • Represented a Korean company in its acquisition of a global construction equipment company. 
  • Represented a global system integration company in sale of its 50% stake in a system integration company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global auto part manufacturer in its acquisition of an auto part manufacturer in Korea. 
  • Represented a Korean glass manufacturer in its joint venture with a global glass manufacturer in Korea and Poland. 
  • Represented global paper companies in their investment in the largest paper company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global chemical company in its investment to form a joint venture company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global logistics company in its acquisition of a logistics company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global PEF in its investment in an Internet network company in Korea. 
  • Represented a global PEF in its acquisition of a life insurance company in Korea.

Representative Activitiesshow

Awards

  • Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Competition (Who’s Who Legal, 2021-2024)
  • Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Competition/Antitrust (Delinian, 2021-2024)
  • Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Insurance (Delinian, 2023-2024)
  • Distinguished Practitioner, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Competition/Antitrust (Euromoney, 2020)
  • Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Korea, Competition (Who’s Who Legal, 2019-2024)
  • Market Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Profiles (Euromoney, 2017)
  • Guide to World Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers (Euromoney, 2013)
  • Leading Individual, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Insurance (Legalease, 2011, 2017-2023)
  • Leading Individual, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Insurance (Chambers and Partners, 2010-2024)
  • Leading Individual, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Competition/Antitrust (Chambers and Partners, 2010-2019)
  • World’s Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Competition (Who’s Who Legal, 2010-2017)
  • Expert Guides: Insurance (Expert Guides, 2010)
  • Expert Guides: Competition & Antitrust (Expert Guides, 2010, 2016)

Publications/Activities
    • Regulatory Intelligence - South Korea: Insurance (Co-author, Thomson Reuters, 2023-2024)
    • Practical Law - Insurance and Reinsurance in South Korea: Overview (Co-author, Thomson Reuters, 2020-2021, 2023) 
    • Chambers Global Practice Guide - Insurance & Reinsurance: Korea chapter - Law & Practice (Co-author, Chambers and Partners, 2019) 
    • Chambers Global Practice Guides: South Korea chapter, Insurance (Co-author, Chambers and Partners, 2018) 
    • Regulatory Intelligence - South Korea: Insurance (Co-author, Thomson Reuters, 2016-2017, 2019, 2021-2022) 
    • The Insurance & Reinsurance Law Review (2nd edition): Korea chapter (Co-author, Law Business Research, 2014) 
    • Definition of Insurance under Amended Insurance Business Act, BFL Vol. 48 (Co-author, Center for Financial Law, 2011.7.) 
    • Euromoney International Reinsurance Review 2011/12: Korea section (Co-author, Euromoney Yearbooks, 2011) 
    • Bancassurance Poses New Challenges for Insurers in Korea (Asia Law & Practice, 2003.6.) 
     
    • Speaker, “Regulation of Dominant Firm’s Exclusionary Conduct,” International Bar Association and Korean Bar Association Competition Law Conference, Seoul (2011) 
    • Speaker, “Prevention of International Cartels,” Seminar by Korea Fair Trade Commission & Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Seoul (2010) 
    • Speaker, “How to Respond Strengthened Enforcement against International Cartels,” International Cartels: Regulations and Coping Measures Seminar held by Korea Fair Trade Commission and Rep. Byung Suk Park, Seoul (2010) 
    • Panelist, International Cartel Workshop, Paris (American Bar Association and the International Bar Association, 2010) 
    • Speaker, “Current Legal Environment in Korea,” Korea Workshop session at ALB In-House Legal Summit, Tokyo (2008) 
    • Panelist, International Cartel Workshop, San Francisco (American Bar Association and the International Bar Association, 2008)

Education

    University of Michigan Law School (LL.M., 1994)

    Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (1985)

    College of Law, Seoul National University (LL.B., 1984)

Qualifications

    Admitted to bar, Korea, 1985; New York, 1995

Languages

Korean, English and Japanese

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Jay AHN
Attorney


T. +82-2-3703-1058      
F. +82-2-737-9091/9092      
  




Jay Ahn is an attorney at Kim & Chang. He practices primarily in the areas of antitrust and competition, insurance, mergers & acquisitions, Japan, corporate governance and foreign direct investment. He serves as the chair of the firm’s Insurance Practice.

Mr. Ahn’s antitrust and competition practice focuses on cartel, abuse of dominance, merger filings and other anti-competitive issues. He also serves as defense counsel in complex competition law litigation cases. For the past three decades, Mr. Ahn has represented clients in a wide range of industries, such as the software, information technology, telecommunications, insurance, banking, paper, power cable, pharmaceutical, motion picture, airline and construction industries. 

As chair of the firm's Insurance Practice, Mr. Ahn has experience with a variety of insurance transactions and regulatory matters. These include mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, license applications, regulatory compliance and regulatory examinations. He works extensively with Korean and multinational insurance companies, reinsurance companies, brokers and other participants in the insurance industry. 

In addition to his legal practice in Korea, Mr. Ahn was a visiting attorney at Proskauer Rose Goetz and Mendelsohn's New York office in 2004 and 2005. Since 2003, Mr. Ahn has also acted as an advisor to the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), serving as a member of the Competition Policy Advisory Committee to the KFTC. In this capacity, Mr. Ahn has helped the Korean competition authorities establish policies on leniency programs. 

Mr. Ahn received an LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1994 and an LL.B. from College of Law, Seoul National University in 1984. He also received training from the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea in 1985. He is admitted to the Korea bar and New York bar.






    Task Force for International Competition Law Compliance Program, Korean Chamber of Commerce (2009)

    Member, Anti-Cartel Advisory Committee of Fair Trade Commission (2004-2013)

    Member, International Cooperation Advisory Committee of Fair Trade Commission (2003-2013)

    Member, Insolvent Insurance Company Restructuring Review Committee (2002)

    Visiting Attorney, Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn, New York (1994-1995)

    Kim & Chang (1989-Present)

    Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Navy (1986-1989)






Antitrust & Competition
 
  •   Represented a global database company in the KFTC's tying and abuse of dominance case 
  •   Represented a global software company in the KFTC’s investigation of tying and abuse of dominance. 
  •   Represented a reinsurance company in the KFTC’s abuse of dominance case 
  •   Represented a global pharmaceutical company’s Korean subsidiary in the KFTC's investigation of unfair inducement of customers. 
  •   Represented a global electronics company in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing. 
  •   Represented a global air cargo company in the KFTC’s investigation of surcharge price-fixing. 
  •   Represented a global motion picture company in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing and unfair trade practices. 
  •   Represented Korean life insurance companies in the KFTC's investigation of interest rate fixing. 
  •   Represented Korean non-life insurance companies in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing. 
  •   Represented a Korean construction company in the KFTC’s investigation of bid-rigging. 
  •   Represented a Korean cable company in the EC’s investigation of bid-rigging. 
  •   Represented a global bearing company in the KFTC’s investigation of price-fixing. 
 
Insurance
 
  •   Represented life insurance companies in an immediate annuity case. 
  •   Represented life insurance companies in a suicide claim case. 
  •   Represented a global life insurance company in its acquisition of a life insurance company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global life insurance company in its acquisition of 50% stake in its joint venture life insurance company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global life insurance company in its investment in an asset management company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global life insurance company in its sale of 50% stake in its joint venture life insurance company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global non-life insurance company in its acquisition of an online auto insurance company in Korea. 
  •   Represented global life and non-life insurance companies in their obtaining life and non-life insurance business licenses in Korea. 
  •   Represented global reinsurance companies in their obtaining reinsurance business licenses in Korea. 
  •   Advised a global life insurance company’s Korean branch on converting to a subsidiary in Korea. 
  •   Advised a global non-life insurance company’s Korean branch on converting to a subsidiary in Korea. 
  •   Represented global reinsurance companies in their litigation with Korean ceding companies.
  •   Assisted an international non-life insurance company in obtaining insurance branch license from financial regulatory authorities.
  •   Advised a Korean life insurance company during the audit by financial regulatory authorities.
 
Mergers & Acquisitions
 
  •   Represented a PEF in its acquisition of a life insurance company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global telecommunication company in its investment in the third largest mobile telecommunication company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a Korean company in its acquisition of a global construction equipment company. 
  •   Represented a global system integration company in sale of its 50% stake in a system integration company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global auto part manufacturer in its acquisition of an auto part manufacturer in Korea. 
  •   Represented a Korean glass manufacturer in its joint venture with a global glass manufacturer in Korea and Poland. 
  •   Represented global paper companies in their investment in the largest paper company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global chemical company in its investment to form a joint venture company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global logistics company in its acquisition of a logistics company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global PEF in its investment in an Internet network company in Korea. 
  •   Represented a global PEF in its acquisition of a life insurance company in Korea.





Awards

  •   Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Competition (Who’s Who Legal, 2021-2024)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Competition/Antitrust (Delinian, 2021-2024)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Insurance (Delinian, 2023-2024)
  •   Distinguished Practitioner, Asialaw Leading Lawyers: Competition/Antitrust (Euromoney, 2020)
  •   Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Korea, Competition (Who’s Who Legal, 2019-2024)
  •   Market Leading Lawyer, Asialaw Profiles (Euromoney, 2017)
  •   Guide to World Leading Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers (Euromoney, 2013)
  •   Leading Individual, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Insurance (Legalease, 2011, 2017-2023)
  •   Leading Individual, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Insurance (Chambers and Partners, 2010-2024)
  •   Leading Individual, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Competition/Antitrust (Chambers and Partners, 2010-2019)
  •   World’s Leading Lawyer, Who’s Who Legal: Competition (Who’s Who Legal, 2010-2017)
  •   Expert Guides: Insurance (Expert Guides, 2010)
  •   Expert Guides: Competition & Antitrust (Expert Guides, 2010, 2016)

Publications/Activities

  •   Regulatory Intelligence - South Korea: Insurance (Co-author, Thomson Reuters, 2023-2024)
  •   Practical Law - Insurance and Reinsurance in South Korea: Overview (Co-author, Thomson Reuters, 2020-2021, 2023) 
  •   Chambers Global Practice Guide - Insurance & Reinsurance: Korea chapter - Law & Practice (Co-author, Chambers and Partners, 2019) 
  •   Chambers Global Practice Guides: South Korea chapter, Insurance (Co-author, Chambers and Partners, 2018) 
  •   Regulatory Intelligence - South Korea: Insurance (Co-author, Thomson Reuters, 2016-2017, 2019, 2021-2022) 
  •   The Insurance & Reinsurance Law Review (2nd edition): Korea chapter (Co-author, Law Business Research, 2014) 
  •   Definition of Insurance under Amended Insurance Business Act, BFL Vol. 48 (Co-author, Center for Financial Law, 2011.7.) 
  •   Euromoney International Reinsurance Review 2011/12: Korea section (Co-author, Euromoney Yearbooks, 2011) 
  •   Bancassurance Poses New Challenges for Insurers in Korea (Asia Law & Practice, 2003.6.) 
 
  •   Speaker, “Regulation of Dominant Firm’s Exclusionary Conduct,” International Bar Association and Korean Bar Association Competition Law Conference, Seoul (2011) 
  •   Speaker, “Prevention of International Cartels,” Seminar by Korea Fair Trade Commission & Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Seoul (2010) 
  •   Speaker, “How to Respond Strengthened Enforcement against International Cartels,” International Cartels: Regulations and Coping Measures Seminar held by Korea Fair Trade Commission and Rep. Byung Suk Park, Seoul (2010) 
  •   Panelist, International Cartel Workshop, Paris (American Bar Association and the International Bar Association, 2010) 
  •   Speaker, “Current Legal Environment in Korea,” Korea Workshop session at ALB In-House Legal Summit, Tokyo (2008) 
  •   Panelist, International Cartel Workshop, San Francisco (American Bar Association and the International Bar Association, 2008)





Education

    University of Michigan Law School (LL.M., 1994)

    Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea (1985)

    College of Law, Seoul National University (LL.B., 1984)


Qualifications

    Admitted to bar, Korea, 1985; New York, 1995


Languages
  •    Korean, English and Japanese





Antitrust & Competition ,  Insurance ,  Mergers & Acquisitions ,  Japan ,  Corporate Governance & Shareholder Disputes ,  Foreign Direct Investment ,  Corporate Finance