On the 31st, Law Firm YK announced the recruitment of Professor Kim Hwa-jin, a distinguished scholar from Seoul National University School of Law. Recognized as a pioneer in the realms of corporate governance and ESG within South Korea, Professor Kim’s appointment is poised to elevate YK's response to changing regulatory landscapes.
김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]
Professor Kim stands out as a trailblazer in the field of corporate law in Korea, blending scholarly insights with practical consulting experience. A graduate of Seoul National University's Department of Mathematics, he furthered his academic journey by attaining a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and a Doctorate in Law from the University of Munich. His international academic involvement is extensive, having imparted knowledge on corporate governance at prestigious institutions such as the University of Michigan, Stanford University, Tel Aviv University, and New York University. His research contributions have graced the pages of respected journals from Oxford and Cambridge. In addition to his academic pursuits, he holds influential roles, including Chairman of the Board at Samsung Securities and Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His acclaimed publications, such as "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010), have been recognized as outstanding academic works by Korea's National Academy of Sciences and serve as seminal texts in the study of governance.
Professor Kim's influence extends to shaping institutional frameworks and policies. As the head of the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee for the National Pension Service and Chairman of the Voting Rights Committee at the Korea ESG Standards Institute, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing governance standards. His public service includes a directorship at the Korea Financial Investment Association. At Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis, he currently focuses on refining board operations, strengthening internal controls, and implementing protective measures for shareholders in response to ESG regulations. His past roles include serving as an outside director and Chairman of the ESG Committee at HD Hyundai. He also contributed to the Hyundai Memorial Project Committee for the 20th anniversary of Asan Chung Ju-yung, culminating in the publication of "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" (2021), a work that garnered widespread acclaim at Seoul National University.
During a seminar on commercial law amendments held on the 11th, co-hosted by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association, Professor Kim delivered an insightful presentation titled "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law." While acknowledging the positive trajectory of ESG, shareholder protection, and commercial law amendments, he emphasized the importance of assessing the nation's capacity to effectively implement these changes.
At Law Firm YK, Professor Kim is anticipated to offer targeted advice on navigating disputes arising from shareholder meetings and damages lawsuits in light of commercial law revisions. His counsel will also cover safeguarding general shareholders' interests in management rights transactions, optimizing board functions and internal controls, and crafting corporate strategies amidst the ESG institutionalization phase.
Law Firm YK expressed, "The integration of Professor Kim at this juncture, as amendments to commercial law and ESG regulations gain prominence, is of immense significance in equipping our corporate clients to meet institutional challenges." The firm is hopeful that his extensive academic and practical experience will furnish invaluable guidance in corporate decision-making processes.