ICC to Overhaul Arbitration Rules... Introducing Electronic Documents and 'Ultra-Fast Arbitration'
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is set to overhaul its International Arbitration Rules. The aim is to streamline procedures, enhance convenience and speed, and introduce mechanisms to reduce the burden on users. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and ICC jointly hosted the '2026 ICC Korea-ASEAN International Arbitration Conference' on April 28 at the KCCI building in Seosomun-dong, Seoul. Kim & Chang, Peter & Kim, and Bae, Kim & Lee sponsored the event. Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, visited Korea for the event and personally presented the key points of the amendment. Until now, the Terms of Reference (TOR) have been regarded as a core procedure for identifying the issues in dispute. However, there have been growing concerns about its effectiveness, as TORs are often drafted in a formalistic manner with insufficient information at the early stages of a case. Accordingly, the ICC will remove the obligation to draft a
Supplementary Investigation vs. Independent Investigation: Prosecution-Police Tensions Escalate Over "Bang Si-hyuk Warrant"
The tension between the prosecution and the police over supplementary investigations has intensified following the rejection of the arrest warrant for Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. This situation has evolved beyond a simple matter of handling a corporate executive's custody, simultaneously testing the police's "independent investigative capabilities" and the prosecution's "need to retain the authority for supplementary investigations." The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Financial Crime Investigation Unit applied for an arrest warrant for Chairman Bang on April 21 on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act (fraudulent unfair trading). However, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, after reviewing the warrant, rejected it on April 24, stating, “There is insufficient evidence to support the necessity of detention,” and ordered a supplementary investigation. This case is considered the largest Capital Markets Act violation detected by the police to date. Chairman Bang is accu
Is the Trend Toward Larger Law Firms Returning?
There is growing attention on how the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on April 29 for a merger between Daeryook & AJU LLC and LIN LLC will impact the large law firm market landscape. This is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first merger among the top 10 major law firms in 25 years, which is expected to lead to changes in market rankings and bring both advantages and challenges. Within the legal industry, there is even talk of three or four additional mergers among mid-to-large-sized law firms. Previously, in 2009, Daeryook & AJU was formed through the merger of Daeryook LLC and AJU LLC. Now, 17 years later, Daeryook & AJU is once again embarking on expansion, aiming to complete its physical merger with LIN LLC around October 2026. Upon completion of the merger, the new firm will rise to 8th place in terms of revenue and 6th place in terms of the number of domestic lawyers. The trend toward larger law firms has been a natural outcome of increasing societal demand for le
Top Portal Placement by Ad Spend... Legal Regulation to Curb Lawyer Search Practices
As concerns continue to be raised about the lack of compliance with the "Guidelines for Operating Lawyer Search Services" established by the Ministry of Justice, legislative efforts to incorporate the guidelines into law?thereby granting them legal force?are gaining momentum. According to a report by The Law Times, Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sponsored a partial amendment to the Attorney-at-Law Act on April 10, reflecting the core contents of the guidelines. The main point of the amendment is to newly include "online legal platforms" and "internet media designated by presidential decree" as legal channels for lawyer advertising. The purpose is to improve public access to legal services and to strengthen the right to legal assistance from lawyers. The Ministry of Justice had established operational standards for lawyer search services in May 2025, aiming to limit unfair advertising on lawyer platforms and enhance consumer protection. However, major portals su
Norway Ranks First in Judicial Trust: "Citizens as Judges"
According to the 2024 institutional trust survey released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Norway had the highest level of public trust in its judicial system, at 77%. In contrast, South Korea's judicial trust stood at just 33%, significantly lower than the average of 54% among the 30 countries surveyed. Why does Norway enjoy more than double the level of trust compared to South Korea? The answer lies in its unique criminal justice system. Norway operates a system of 'Lay participation,' in which ordinary citizens are directly involved in trials, making decisions on both guilt and sentencing. In both the first-instance and appellate courts, 'lay judges' in Norway play a central role and exercise the same authority as professional judges. The trial panel of the City or District Court, which handles the first instance of criminal cases, is generally composed of one professional judge and two lay judges. For serious crimes or highly complex cases, a mi
Legal Issues in the "CU Incident": Key Focus Is Whether Delivery Drivers Qualify as "Workers" Under the Trade Union Act
The so-called "CU incident" has erupted as delivery drivers affiliated with the Cargo Solidarity Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and part of the CU branch, began an indefinite strike demanding negotiations with BGF Retail, the operator of CU. On April 20, a union member attempting to block substitute freight trucks near the Jinju logistics center was struck by a vehicle and died. With the strike ongoing, not only franchisees?third parties?but also partner companies supplying products to CU are reporting damages. BGF Logistics has filed an injunction against the Cargo Solidarity Union to prohibit obstruction of business. Previously, the Cargo Solidarity Union demanded negotiations, claiming that BGF Retail is the "employer." According to the union, BGF Retail exercises "substantial control" over delivery drivers’ fares, volume, and working conditions. However, BGF Retail maintained that it is not a contracting party and therefore is not a party to the negoti
Is Full Public Disclosure of Court Rulings on the Horizon?
Amid ongoing calls from the legal community for full public disclosure of court rulings, the Judicial Policy Research Institute under the Supreme Court will hold an academic conference on May 27, focused on the topic of "disclosure of court rulings." This marks the first time the Judicial Policy Research Institute is hosting an academic conference specifically about the disclosure of court rulings. The legal sector is paying close attention to whether this event will lead to a significant expansion in the scope of disclosure, potentially resulting in full public access to court judgments. The Judicial Policy Research Institute (Director: Lee Seungryeon), in collaboration with the Law Times (CEO: Lee Soohyeong), will host an academic conference titled "Practical Issues in the Court Ruling Disclosure System" at Cheongsim Hall on the first floor of the Seoul Court Complex in Seocho-gu, Seoul, at 2 p.m. on May 27. Director Lee Seungryeon (Judicial Research and Training Institute, 20th clas
Conversations with AI Detailed in Court Ruling... Not Protected by ACP
Global game developer Krafton, known for titles such as "PUBG: Battlegrounds," was found to have questioned a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool about its response strategy and implemented its suggestions in the process of dismissing key executives at its subsidiary. This was revealed in detail in the decision of a U.S. court. Despite internal warnings against the dismissal, the CEO pushed ahead with the decision, and the conversation between the CEO and the AI was admitted as evidence against Krafton, leading to its defeat in court?this is the key point of the case. The case originated from an acquisition agreement in 2021. Krafton acquired Unknown Worlds, the developer of the game "Subnautica," for $500 million, and designed an earn-out structure that would pay up to an additional $250 million depending on performance. In return, Krafton guaranteed operational control to the founders and Edward Gill, CEO of Unknown Worlds, and stipulated that dismissal would be permitted on
Just One Tap on the App Abroad... Remote Notarization Approaches 3,000 Cases Annually
#1 A, who resides in the United States, wanted to entrust his father in Korea with handling the extension of his jeonse deposit loan, but a notarized power of attorney was required. After learning about remote notarization, A scanned the power of attorney and submitted it as a PDF to the Ministry of Justice’s electronic notarization system, verifying his identity with a joint authentication certificate. He then scheduled an appointment with an assigned notary public and accessed a mobile app, uploading his driver’s license as part of additional identity verification procedures. During the remote notarization process, the assigned notary public re-verified A’s identity via video and reviewed the contents of the power of attorney. After confirming both A’s intent and the document’s contents, the notarization was completed, allowing A to finish the necessary procedures for the loan extension without traveling to Korea. #2 Corporation B, headquartered in Daegu, needed notarization of its b
Hit by a Marathon Runner While Crossing the Street... "Organizers Ordered to Pay 350 Million Won in Damages"
A court has ruled that the organizer and the operating agency of a marathon must compensate a pedestrian in her 70s approximately 350 million won after the pedestrian was severely injured in a collision with a marathon participant while crossing a crosswalk on the course. However, the court did not hold the marathon participant liable for damages. On March 18, Judge Kim Jaehyang of the Civil Division 7, Seoul Southern District Court, ruled in a damages lawsuit (2024Gadan227532) filed by the plaintiff, a woman in her 70s identified as A, against Defendant B Co., Ltd., the co-host and organizer of the event, Defendant C Co., Ltd., the agency entrusted with the event's operation and management, and Defendant D, a marathon participant. The court ordered, "B and C must jointly pay A 353.49 million won," in response to A's claim for a total of approximately 465.52 million won. [Facts of the Case]On November 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to around 1:30 p.m., a marathon was held with a total of 35,000
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