Kwangjang Expands and Restructures Corporate Control Dispute Center to Strengthen Corporate Governance Response

Co-Directors Jeong Daju and Lee Sejung, Attorneys (from left). Squar Corporation.

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On April 15, Law Firm Kwangjang announced the launch of its "Corporate Control Dispute Center" by expanding and reorganizing its existing team dedicated to corporate control disputes. This organizational restructuring comes in response to the significant changes in the capital market environment following the enforcement of the amended Commercial Act, as well as the growing participation and influence of minority shareholders-especially those linked to activist funds-in corporate management. These changes have led to a surge in demand for corporate control defense and governance-related services among companies.

Through the launch of this new center, Kwangjang aims to provide even more specialized and comprehensive legal services for corporate control disputes and responses to shareholder activism. The center is jointly led by Attorney Jeong Daju (31st class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), a former presiding judge at the Supreme Court Administration Office with substantial experience in high-profile corporate control dispute litigation such as those involving SM Entertainment and Kolmar Korea, and Attorney Lee Sejung (32nd class), a key partner in Kwangjang’s Corporate Advisory Group who has advised on numerous complex M&A transactions, corporate control disputes, and responses to shareholder activism.

The center will be organized into specialized teams, including the Corporate Control Dispute Team and the Shareholder Activism Response Team. The Corporate Control Dispute Team will primarily handle traditional cases involving disputes over corporate management rights. Attorney Jang Ijun (39th class), who has accumulated extensive practical experience and developed diverse response strategies through involvement in numerous corporate control disputes-such as those involving Charmzone, Solgent, and KMH-will serve as the team leader.

The Shareholder Activism Response Team, which specializes in advisory services regarding activist funds and alliances of minority shareholders, will be led by Attorney Kim Yuseok (37th class). After building a wealth of advisory experience at Kwangjang’s Corporate Advisory Group, Kim moved to serve as a legal executive at DL Group, where he gained direct management and legal experience within corporations. The Shareholder Activism Response Team provides a comprehensive suite of advisory services, including: △preemptive measures before governance-related disputes arise, △strategies for responding to shareholder activism, △effective communication with institutional investors such as the National Pension Service and proxy advisory firms both domestic and international, △investor relations and communication with a focus on minority shareholders, and △exploring alternative dispute resolution through negotiation outside of litigation.

Notably, Kwangjang plans to leverage its long-standing, top-tier corporate advisory capabilities in the operation of the new Corporate Control Dispute Center. Leading this effort are Managing Partner Moon Hojun (27th class) and Attorney Yoon Yongjun (31st class), both recognized as top-tier M&A and corporate advisory experts. They will be joined by Senior Advisor Ahn Taeil, a former National Pension Service executive with expertise and experience in institutional investor relations and stewardship codes; Attorney Lee Hyundong (19th class), who recently joined Kwangjang after successfully establishing and operating the compliance system for the Samsung Group; and Dr. Kim Suyeon, who has long researched shareholder meetings and corporate governance issues. Together, they will enhance the center’s comprehensive advisory capabilities.

At the same time, Kwangjang continues to strengthen its personnel across both corporate advisory and litigation areas. For example, Attorney Jeong Sujin (32nd class), an elite judge who graduated top of the 42nd national bar exam and has held various key positions in the judiciary, has also joined the Corporate Control Dispute Center and will take the lead in cases requiring intense courtroom advocacy.

Co-director Jeong stated, "Kwangjang’s greatest strength lies in its structure, which enables organic collaboration among specialists from various fields. With corporate control dispute and shareholder activism experts from the Corporate Advisory Group coming together under the banner of the Corporate Control Dispute Center-along with litigation and ESG teams-we will be able to deliver a unique synergy that sets us apart from competing law firms."

Managing Partner Moon commented, "In the rapidly evolving capital market environment, driven by the amended Commercial Act, issues related to corporate control disputes and responses to shareholder activism are expected to become core areas of work for law firms. Kwangjang will provide company-wide support for the activities of the Corporate Control Dispute Center."

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