Established in 1997, Choi & Kim pioneered maritime law in South Korea, specialising in maritime, insurance and disputes. Having set the standard, the firm has built a reputation as a leader in the sector with clients including international oil pollution compensation funds, protection and indemnity clubs, and shipping companies. Choi & Kim's client base extends internationally, with the firm advising and representing companies like Maersk and CMA CGM on legal issues through litigation and arbitration. Given the number of maritime incidents under Seoul and Busan jurisdictions, the firm operates in both cities. Based in Seoul for 25 years, the firm expanded to Busan in 2023 to offer more efficient, affordable services for Busan cases. Key partners of the firm include J.H. Choi and C.J. Kim.
Client feedback
“They are well experienced and experts in providing good legal services.” – Shipping
Changjoon Kim
“Very smart and excellent in handling shipping matters.”
Work highlights
Counselled KC LNG Tech and their underwriters, a licensor of Membrane LNG carrier technology, in an ongoing $60 million litigation filed by a shipyard claiming repair costs due to alleged design defects. Successfully defended the client in the first instance, obtaining a favourable judgment based on exemptions in the licence agreement, with appeal proceedings currently under way in the Korean courts.
Advised a P&I Club and shipowners in an ongoing $18 million damage claim arising from an allision between their vessel and a berth owned by a Korean energy entity (KOEN), focusing on complex calculations of increased demurrage due to the incident while considering pre-existing chronic demurrage issues at the port.
Advised shipowners and their P&I Club in an ongoing case involving a fire that occurred on a vessel during loading operations in Korea, assisting with facilitating the vessel's swift departure, preventing arrest, and managing interrogations by authorities, while investigating the likely cause of the fire attributed to stevedores' prohibited smoking near inflammable cargo.
Key clients
Cargill International, HMM PSA New-Port Terminal, Mediterranean Shipping, Korea Shipping Association
