On the 31st, Law Firm YK revealed its strategic decision to engage Professor Kim Hwa-jin from Seoul National University School of Law as an advisor, underscoring its commitment to strengthening its competencies in corporate governance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations. Professor Kim is a preeminent expert in these domains within Korea.
김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]
Recognized as a pioneer in corporate law scholarship in Korea, Professor Kim combines extensive academic and practical expertise. His academic journey includes a mathematics degree from Seoul National University, a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School, and a Doctorate in Law from the University of Munich. His global academic contributions include teaching corporate governance at renowned universities such as the University of Michigan, Stanford University, Tel Aviv University, and New York University. He has published extensively, contributing to esteemed journals from Oxford and Cambridge. Currently, he holds significant roles as Chairman of the Board at Samsung Securities and Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His influential works, such as "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010), are acknowledged by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea as seminal texts in governance studies.
Professor Kim's involvement in institutional and policy design is exemplified by his leadership in roles such as Chairman of the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee of the National Pension Service and Chairman of the Voting Rights Committee at the Korea ESG Standards Institute. He provides strategic oversight on issues such as board operations and internal control at Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis, focusing on ESG compliance and shareholder protection frameworks. His previous roles include serving as an outside director and Chairman of the ESG Committee at HD Hyundai, and a contributor to the Hyundai Memorial Project Committee, reflecting on Asan Chung Ju-yung's legacy, with his publication in 2021 receiving widespread attention.
During a seminar on commercial law amendments, jointly organized by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association on the 11th, Professor Kim articulated his insights on "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law." He emphasized the alignment of ESG initiatives, shareholder protections, and commercial law revisions with strategic goals, while questioning the current capacity to implement these changes effectively.
Professor Kim's advisory role at YK will focus on navigating complex issues arising from commercial law amendments, such as shareholder meeting disputes, liability lawsuits, and shareholder protection during management transitions. His expertise will guide enhancements in board operations, internal controls, and strategic development amid ESG regulatory integration.
Law Firm YK articulated that the integration of Professor Kim's expertise is particularly significant amidst the evolving landscape of commercial law and ESG regulations, which present complex institutional challenges for corporate clients. YK anticipates that his profound academic and practical insights will offer substantial guidance in corporate strategic decision-making processes.