On the 31st, Law Firm YK disclosed the appointment of Professor Kim Hwa-jin from Seoul National University School of Law as an advisor. Professor Kim, renowned for his expertise in corporate governance and ESG dimensions within Korea, is expected to significantly bolster the firm's capabilities in these sectors.
김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]
Acknowledged as a pioneer in Korean corporate law scholarship, Professor Kim combines a solid theoretical foundation with extensive industry consulting expertise. His academic credentials include a mathematics degree from Seoul National University, a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School, and a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Munich. His contributions to global academia are notable, having lectured on corporate governance at institutions such as the University of Michigan, Stanford University, Tel Aviv University, and New York University. His scholarly works, featured in esteemed publications from Oxford and Cambridge, further cement his status in the field. Currently, he holds pivotal roles as Chairman of the Board at Samsung Securities and Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His influential books, like "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010), have been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea as essential texts in governance education.
Professor Kim's involvement in policy design is extensive. He has played key roles such as Chairman of the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee of the National Pension Service and Chairman of the Voting Rights Committee of the Korea ESG Standards Institute. Additionally, he has served as a public director for the Korea Financial Investment Association. His ongoing work addresses critical matters including board operations, internal controls, ESG compliance, and shareholder protection at Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis. His leadership at HD Hyundai as an outside director and Chairman of the ESG Committee, along with his contributions to the Hyundai Memorial Project for Asan Chung Ju-yung, underscore his influence, highlighted by his notable publication "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" (2021).
During a seminar on the 11th, co-hosted by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association, Professor Kim delivered insights into "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law." He advocated for a thoughtful evaluation of the nation's capacity to manage the evolving landscape of ESG, shareholder protection, and commercial law amendments.
At YK, Professor Kim is anticipated to offer specialized counsel on various challenges, including disputes at shareholder meetings, litigation resulting from commercial law revisions, safeguarding general shareholders in management rights transactions, refining board operations, enhancing internal controls, and formulating corporate strategies amid ESG policy integration.
The inclusion of Professor Kim is perceived as a strategic move by YK, especially amidst the growing significance of commercial law updates and ESG frameworks. The firm is optimistic that Professor Kim's dual expertise in academia and industry will yield actionable insights that fortify corporate decision-making processes for their clients.