Shin & Kim maintains its esteemed reputation in the market across all areas. Peers refer to the firm with respect and say that in recent years the firm has been furthering its visibility on matters as well as building on its historic strengths in capital markets and real estate. The firm boasts a 12-partner strong team dedicated purely to capital markets, one of the largest among all Korean law firms, and runs its IPO and structured finance teams separately under the capital markets wing. The firm has recently strengthened its banking and finance, as well as energy, practices with key hires from Kim & Chang: Claire (Mi-Jin) Kim and Mooni Kim joined as senior foreign attorneys in July 2023, Bong-Sang Cho as a senior foreign attorney in April 2023, and Sangmyoung Shin as a partner in February 2023.
Work highlights
Advised Kakao Entertainment on securing a W1.2 trillion investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. The transaction involved comprehensive legal support from initial discussions through execution, including vendor due diligence, transaction documentation, negotiations, and regulatory filings. This high-profile deal in the K-content industry provides Kakao Entertainment with crucial financial resources for expansion and reinforcement of its existing businesses through additional mergers and acquisitions, highlighting the continued global investor interest in the Korean entertainment sector.
Key clients
Hefei Xinmei Materials Technology
Work highlights
Advised the Republic of Korea (ROK) on its inaugural public offering of ¥70 billion ($483 million) foreign exchange stabilisation fund bonds (samurai bonds) in Japan. The transaction was ROK's first-ever yen-denominated FESF bond issuance in Japan and signalled the resumption of Korea-Japan economic cooperation. As sole Korean legal counsel, the Shin & Kim provided comprehensive advice on all aspects of the transaction, including document review, securities registration, and legal opinions. The firm successfully navigated complex international and domestic legal requirements, resulting in a significantly oversubscribed offering that helped the ROK reduce funding costs and diversify its foreign reserves amid high global interest rates.
Key clients
Macquarie Korea Asset Management, Shinhan Bank
Work highlights
Represented KB Securities as mandated lead arranger, along with Kookmin Bank and KEB Hana Bank as lead arrangers, in a W2.35 trillion ($1.76 billion) acquisition financing for EQT Partners' purchase of SK Shieldus. The transaction marked EQT Partners' first investment in Korea, necessitating complex negotiations to blend Korean market practices with European elements. Shin & Kim provided comprehensive legal advice, drafted and negotiated all financing documents, and successfully managed the interests of multiple financial institutions involved in this significant deal, which introduced unique transaction terms to the Korean acquisition financing market.
Key clients
Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation
