Next Year's Local Elections: One-Stop Services from Pledge Analysis to Investigation Response

Published 01 Dec.2025 16:05(KST)

Beyond Legal Counsel: Message Strategy Included
Support for Policy, Corporate Consulting, and Training

As the 2026 local elections approach, law firms are strengthening their organizations to address election strategies and the Public Official Election Act. Moving beyond simple legal advice, they are now offering comprehensive solutions that cover the entire election process, including pledge analysis, local public opinion assessment, policy development, and response to investigations, thereby supporting risk management for both candidates and companies. One prospective candidate commented, "In the past, law firms only provided legal advice, but now they are involved in everything from message strategy to policy setting, making it feel like there are specialized organizations akin to professional election camps."

The Law Times.

Strengthening Investigation, Trial Response, and Forensics

In preparation for the elections, law firms are deploying former prosecutors and judges, combining their expertise with digital forensics capabilities to focus on addressing judicial risks.

Kwangjang Law Firm operates an election response task force composed of 20 former prosecutors from the Public Investigation Department and former judges from election-specialized courts, providing counsel from the election preparation stage through to investigation and trial. The team is led by attorney Lee Sanghyun (Judicial Research and Training Institute, 33rd class), former head of the Public Investigation Division 2 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and includes attorney Song Chanyeop (17th class), former head of the Public Security Department at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, and attorney Kim Yongseop (16th class), former presiding judge of the Seoul High Court's election-specialized panel. They play a key role in preventing risks related to violations of the election law.

Pacific Law Firm’s election response team, established in 2018, consists of over 30 experts, including Kim Heegwan (17th class), former chief prosecutor of the Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office. Drawing on experience with various election law violation cases such as bribery, pre-election campaigning, and dissemination of false information, former police, prosecutors, and judges lead the response. The firm has established a comprehensive response system that incorporates digital forensics capabilities, and also provides analyses of political impact and public opinion trends.

Sejong Law Firm operates a public election response task force led by Jang Youngsoo (24th class), former chief prosecutor of the Daegu High Prosecutors’ Office. More than 20 experts, including those with backgrounds in the police, prosecution, judiciary, and digital forensics, participate. The firm provides rapid response tailored to the short statute of limitations for election crimes, supporting candidates with advice and investigation response at every stage, including primaries and campaigning. The legislative strategy advisory team and the Sejong Digital Forensics Research Institute also contribute their expertise.

Barun Law Firm has established a one-stop response team for election cases, dividing the investigation and trial stages for specialized handling. The team includes Kim Youngo (34th class), former chief of the Criminal Division 1 at the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office, and Kang Sangdeok (26th class), an attorney who participated in revising the Public Official Election Act commentary, thereby enhancing practical response capabilities.

Policy, Legislative, and Government Relations Advisory

Policy advisory and government relations work, led by experts with backgrounds in the National Assembly and government, are also part of preparations for the local elections.

Yulchon Law Firm’s legislative strategy response team is led by senior advisor Koo Kisung, former deputy director of legislation at the National Assembly Secretariat, and attorney Park Jiwung (37th class), former senior administrative officer at the Presidential Office. The team includes party affairs experts with significant influence in candidate nominations and policy decisions for the local elections, providing strategic advice to companies on resolving regional issues and long-standing challenges such as permits and approvals.

Jipyung Law Firm, through its Public Policy Solutions Center, provides advisory services related to local elections and the nationwide simultaneous cooperative association elections. The team includes former managing partner Lim Sungtaek (27th class), attorney Kim Jinkwon (2nd bar exam), a former parliamentary aide, Seo Jeonghyeop, former acting Mayor of Seoul, and Hwang Isu, former secretary at the Presidential Office, all of whom have extensive administrative and political experience.

HwaWoo Law Firm, through its GRC Center, offers advisory services on the Public Official Election Act and consulting on pledge analysis for corporate clients. The center is led by Hong Jeongseok (1st bar exam), who has experience at LG Economic Research Institute and has worked with special prosecutors and election camps. Other key members include Yoon Jihoon, former personnel secretary at the Presidential Office, and Lee Dongyun, former parliamentary aide, who handle practical matters with the government, National Assembly, and local governments.

Lin Law Firm has established a local election response task force within its government relations team, supporting everything from legal advice to political consulting. The team is led by Kim Jongsik (37th class), head of the government relations team, and Bae Taejun (37th class), former Democratic Party presidential election strategy committee member, with participation from former lawmaker Won Yoochul and Cheon Gyeongdeuk (33rd class), former senior administrative officer at the Presidential Office.

On-Site Strategies and Training

Daeryuk Aju Law Firm has expanded and reorganized its existing election center into an 'Election Group,' operating investigation response, trial response, and election advisory training centers. Led by former lawmaker Song Hochang (31st class), the firm provides election law and strategy lectures for prospective candidates and offers ongoing risk management support.

YK Law Firm established its Election Law Center in 2023. The center includes election experts such as Kwon Soonil (14th class), former chairperson of the National Election Commission, Jeong Byeongsil (30th class), former chairperson of the Jangheung, Jeonnam regional election commission, and a panel of advisors from the National Assembly, including former lawmaker Yang Jeongsuk (22nd class). The firm focuses on on-site, hands-on support through its 31 branch offices nationwide.

Jieum Law Firm operates with a small, elite team. Through its public election advisory working group under the regulatory team, the firm maintains close communication with clients, enabling immediate response and timely problem-solving.