Journalist

Eun-mi. Won
  • Seoul hires legal advisers as U.S. Coupang investors move toward arbitration
    Seoul hires legal advisers as U.S. Coupang investors move toward arbitration SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -South Korea has recruited legal advisers to respond to a notice of intent to arbitrate filed by U.S. investors in e-commerce giant Coupang, the Ministry of Justice said Thursday, marking the first formal step in a potential investor–state dispute under the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The ministry said it selected South Korean law firm Peter & Kim and U.S.-based Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP to represent the government during the initial phase of the dispute. Officials said the firms were chosen for their experience in international investment arbitration, including their previous representation of South Korea in the high-profile dispute with U.S. private equity firm Lone Star over the sale of Korea Exchange Bank. The legal teams will assist the ministry during the 90-day “cooling-off period” that follows a notice of intent under the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), during which the parties may attempt consultations before formal arbitration can be filed. The dispute was triggered after Greenoaks Capital Partners LLC and Altimeter Capital Management LP, U.S. investment firms holding shares in Coupang, submitted a notice of intent to arbitrate on Jan. 22. The investors argue that South Korea’s regulatory and political response to a major personal data leak at Coupang violated protections for foreign investors under the bilateral trade agreement. In the notice, the investors claim Seoul’s actions amounted to “discriminatory, disproportionate, and pretextual” measures against the company and damaged U.S. investments worth billions of dollars. The filing states that the investors collectively hold more than $1.5 billion worth of Coupang shares, and alleges that government actions — including investigations and regulatory measures following the data breach — threaten further losses. The dispute centers on a cybersecurity incident disclosed by Coupang in November 2025 involving the leak of over 30 million customer accounts. The breach sparked a wave of regulatory probes, parliamentary hearings and public criticism from Korean officials. Coupang, founded in 2010 and dubbed as the “Amazon of Korea,” operates primarily in South Korea but is incorporated in Delaware and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Its shareholder base is dominated by U.S. investors, placing the case within the scope of the investment protections contained in the KORUS FTA. Under the treaty’s investor–state dispute settlement provisions, foreign investors can seek damages through international arbitration if they believe government actions violated treaty obligations such as fair and equitable treatment or protection from expropriation. Additional notices of intent were filed in February by other investors, including Foxhaven Capital GP LLC, Durable Capital Associates LLC and Abrams Capital LLC, expanding the group of claimants considering arbitration. The Justice Ministry said its international investment dispute response team will work with the appointed advisers to review the claims and prepare the government’s response during the consultation period. If arbitration proceeds, the case could become one of South Korea’s most closely watched investment disputes since the long-running Lone Star case, which tested the country’s defenses under international investment treaties. 2026-03-05 13:03:03
  • Impeached ex-president apologizes but still defends botched martial law bid
    Impeached ex-president apologizes but still defends botched martial law bid SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday apologized for the pain caused by his botched declaration of martial law in 2024, while defending it as a "measure solely intended to save the country and its citizens." His remarks came just a day after the Seoul Central District Court handed down a life sentence on charges of insurrection and abuse of power over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. Despite the apology, Yoon insisted that deploying troops to the National Assembly did not amount to insurrection. "It is hard to accept the argument that simply sending military personnel to the National Assembly constitutes insurrection," Yoon said, denouncing the investigation and trial as a "politically motivated attempt to remove opponents and rival factions." He expressed skepticism about appealing, casting doubt on the judiciary's independence. Nonetheless, he hoped the ruling would be reassessed, saying he could be cleared "on the day liberal democracy and the rule of law stand upright." Yoon also criticized additional probes by prosecutors, urging politicians not to undermine democracy and to focus on people's lives. In a final message to his supporters, he said, "Our fight is not over. We must unite and rise." Yoon did not appear to forgo an appeal, however, as his lawyers clarified that Friday's statement merely reflected his personal feelings and was not intended to drop the case. 2026-02-20 17:15:06
  • Prosecutor criticizes acquittal in Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case
    Prosecutor criticizes acquittal in Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case Kim Tae Hoon, chief prosecutor of the Daejeon High Prosecutors Office who led the investigation into the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case under the Moon Jae-in government, criticized a trial court ruling that acquitted first lady Kim Keon Hee of violating capital markets law, calling it an “unfair decision.” Kim posted his statement Tuesday on the prosecution’s internal network, e-Pros, under the title, “As a member of the first Deutsche Motors investigation team, I share my view on this ruling.” He said the court acknowledged Kim Keon Hee’s awareness of the stock manipulation but still found her not guilty as a joint principal offender. He argued that conclusion is hard to accept in light of earlier rulings that found former Deutsche Motors chairman Kwon Oh Soo and former Black Pearl Invest CEO Lee Jong Ho guilty, as well as legal principles on joint offenders and continuing offenses. Kim said earlier rulings found that Kim Keon Hee took part in multiple matched-order trades, citing a sell order for 100,000 shares on Oct. 28, 2010, and a large sell order on Nov. 1, 2010, known as the “7-second trade.” He also said earlier rulings recognized that 2 billion won Kim provided to Black Pearl was used as key funding for the manipulation scheme. “Even though it was confirmed that matched orders and large-scale buying using Kim Keon Hee’s funds contributed to the price increase, not recognizing her as a joint principal offender runs counter to precedent that joint liability can be established through functional control based on a division of roles,” he wrote. He also challenged the court’s statute-of-limitations analysis. Citing precedent, he said that even if an accomplice participated in only part of a continuing offense, the limitations period runs from the end of the overall crime, not from each individual act. He argued the court’s decision to separate acts from October 2010 to January 2011 and find the limitations period had expired conflicts with established legal principles. “As a member of the first investigation team that investigated the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation accomplices and indicted them in custody, I find it difficult to accept this acquittal,” he wrote, adding that he hopes it will be corrected on appeal. On Tuesday, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27, led by Presiding Judge Woo In Sung, sentenced Kim Keon Hee to 1 year and 8 months in prison on a separate charge of receiving improper solicitations. But it acquitted her of violating the Capital Markets Act, saying it was difficult to conclude she carried out the crime as a joint principal offender with the price-manipulation group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 19:18:00
  • Kim Keon Hee Says She Accepts Court’s Criticism After 1st Trial Sentence
    Kim Keon Hee Says She Accepts Court’s Criticism After 1st Trial Sentence Kim Keon Hee said she would “humbly accept” the court’s stern criticism after she was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison in a first trial on Tuesday. Her legal team said in a notice to reporters that attorneys met with Kim at Nambu Detention Center after the ruling and relayed her statement. “Today, I humbly accept the court’s stern criticism, and I will not take its weight lightly,” Kim said during the meeting. “Once again, I am sorry to everyone for causing concern because of me.” Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27, led by Presiding Judge Woo In-sung, sentenced Kim on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, violating the Political Funds Act and receiving bribes in connection with influence peddling under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The court found her guilty on part of the influence-peddling charge involving money and valuables received from the Unification Church. It acquitted her of allegations tied to the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case and claims that she received free opinion polling from political broker Myung Tae-kyun. The court ordered the confiscation of one seized Graff diamond necklace and imposed forfeiture of 12,815,000 won for a bag and concentrated Cheonsusam tea, which could not be confiscated.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:12:26
  • South Korea’s Law Firm Won Wins 3 Categories at ABLJ 2025 Korea Law Firm Awards
    South Korea’s Law Firm Won Wins 3 Categories at ABLJ 2025 Korea Law Firm Awards Law Firm Won said Jan. 28 it won three categories — defense industry, ESG and entertainment and sports — at the “Korea Law Firm Awards 2025,” announced by Asian Business Law Journal (ABLJ). ABLJ, a legal media outlet covering Asia, conducts annual surveys of companies and law firms in the region to select top performers. Won’s latest results extend its streak to two straight wins in ESG and three straight in entertainment and sports, while marking its first win in the defense industry category. In its assessment, ABLJ said that amid the rapid growth of South Korea’s defense industry, Won strengthened its defense legal advisory capabilities by bringing in attorneys Lee Tae Hwi and Lee Su Dong as partners. Won’s defense industry team, made up of experts with Army, Navy and Air Force backgrounds, cited its track record after a reorganization, including being appointed to represent the Ministry of National Defense in a lawsuit involving 45 billion won in alleged unjust enrichment. The firm said it has also been supporting South Korean defense companies’ overseas expansion and is carrying out a policy research project to help address the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, or CMMC, which it described as a key requirement for entering the U.S. market. Won’s ESG Center said it systematized advisory capabilities across ESG last year and expanded into compliance and risk after Lee Tae Kyung joined as co-head. The firm said its practical approach has been well received, including work on ESG disclosure risk analysis and response strategies, corporate governance advice, guidance on sustainability reports and support for responding to ESG ratings. Won’s media and entertainment team said it has built fast, high-quality advisory capabilities based on experience across film, drama and animation. As K-content has expanded globally, the firm said advisory work has grown for collaboration, co-production and overseas investment with Southeast Asian production companies. It also said it operates a structured system to verify copyrights and related rights for international co-productions and is leading overseas IP protection projects with partner law firms and Interpol as concerns rise over copyright infringement on illegal distribution sites. Lee Yoo Jung, Won’s managing partner, said the firm’s first win in defense and its continued wins in entertainment and sports and ESG reflect efforts to respond early to industry changes. “We will continue to provide precise and effective solutions to the complex risks companies face,” Lee said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:57:28
  • Court Convicts Kim Keon Hee of Influence-Peddling, Acquits Her in Stock Manipulation Case
    Court Convicts Kim Keon Hee of Influence-Peddling, Acquits Her in Stock Manipulation Case A South Korean court on Tuesday said it recognized Kim Keon Hee’s political influence but ruled that her status alone could not expand criminal liability. The court found her partly guilty over receiving money and valuables linked to the Unification Church, but acquitted her of conspiracy allegations tied to the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case and an opinion-poll controversy involving Myung Tae-kyun, citing insufficient evidence. The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27, led by Presiding Judge Woo In-sung, said before delivering the verdict that the law cannot be applied differently to the powerful and the powerless. It said core criminal-law principles — the presumption of innocence and resolving ambiguity in the defendant’s favor — do not change based on a person’s position. On the Deutsche Motors case, the panel said there was room to believe Kim may have recognized or accepted the possibility that her accounts could be used for price manipulation. But it said prosecutors did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she coordinated roles or formed a shared intent with the manipulation group to carry out the scheme. The court noted there was no testimony that anyone in the group directly explained the operation to Kim or assigned her a role, and it found no material showing she personally placed trades. It concluded she did not go beyond the role of an investor who provided funds. “Conspiracy requires strict proof of awareness of the overall crime and performance of a role,” the court said, adding that without such proof it must acquit even if suspicion remains. For some acts, it also found the statute of limitations had already expired, considering trading dates, account-management patterns and time gaps. The court also acquitted Kim of violating the Political Funds Act. It said the opinion polls provided by Myung could not be seen as an exclusive financial benefit belonging to Kim and her husband, and it found no confirmation of instructions or involvement by Kim’s side in conducting or publicizing the polls. The court also said there was no evidence that a promise of nomination for a specific person was made in return. It concluded the act’s requirements — a contribution and quid pro quo — were not met. However, the court found her partly guilty in connection with money and valuables received in July 2022, ruling that Kim accepted them while aware of the Unification Church’s request for government-level support. In sentencing, the court said a president’s spouse can have significant influence on the president and is a symbolic figure representing the country, requiring a high level of integrity and restraint. The panel said Kim misused her position as a tool for personal gain. It said money often seeks access around power and that the higher the status, the more consciously one must guard against it, citing her acceptance of expensive luxury items as an unfavorable sentencing factor. After the ruling, the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki said it was “difficult to accept” the court’s reasoning on co-offender liability, the Political Funds Act and solicitation issues, and said the sentence on the guilty portion was also inadequate given the case. The team said it would challenge the first-trial decision on appeal. Kim’s lawyers said they were grateful to the court for ruling “only according to law and conscience,” but said the sentence for influence-peddling bribery was somewhat high and that they would consider whether to appeal. The decision highlighted how far a president’s spouse’s political influence can be weighed in assessing criminal responsibility. The court did not deny that such influence exists, but drew a line, saying it does not automatically establish conspiracy or criminal liability.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:19:15
  • Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 1 Year, 8 Months; First Case of Ex-President Couple Jailed Together
    Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 1 Year, 8 Months; First Case of Ex-President Couple Jailed Together Kim Keon Hee, who was indicted in custody on charges including receiving valuables tied to the Unification Church, was sentenced to prison in a first-trial ruling. The decision came after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of obstructing an arrest by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, marking the first time in South Korea’s constitutional history that a former president and spouse have both received prison terms at the same time. The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27, led by Presiding Judge Woo In Sung, sentenced Kim to one year and eight months on charges of violating the Capital Markets Act, violating the Political Funds Act and influence peddling under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The court ordered the confiscation of one seized Graff necklace and imposed forfeiture of 12,815,000 won, payable in advance. The court found Kim guilty on only part of the influence-peddling allegations involving the receipt of money and valuables connected to Unification Church-related matters. It acquitted her of allegations tied to Deutsche Motors stock-price manipulation under the Capital Markets Act and claims involving free opinion polling provided by Myung Tae Kyun under the Political Funds Act. The sentence was far below what Special Counsel Min Joong Ki’s team sought at last month’s closing arguments: 15 years in prison, a 2 billion won fine and about 900 million won in forfeiture. After the ruling, the special counsel team said it would appeal, saying, “The court’s findings on co-perpetration, political-funds donations and solicitation that led to acquittals are difficult to accept in light of legal principles and common sense, and the sentencing for the guilty portion is also insufficient.” Kim’s lawyers also said they are reviewing whether to appeal, arguing the sentence is excessive. 2026-01-28 16:21:22
  • Ex-president gets 5 years in prison in first verdict on martial law-related charges
    Ex-president gets 5 years in prison in first verdict on martial law-related charges SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday over one of several charges related to his botched martial law debacle. The Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul handed down the sentence over charges that Yoon obstructed law enforcement by blocking investigators and other officials who attempted to detain him following his abrupt late-night declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. It was Yoon's first sentencing among his eight different cases related to the debacle including the main charges of insurrection and abuse of power, whose verdict is likely to be handed down next month. Prosecutors had earlier sought 10 years in prison for Yoon - five years for obstruction of official duties, three years for abuse of power, and two years for fabricating official documents, making Thursday's sentence about half of what they had requested. In a nationwide televised trial, the court said Yoon, who had a duty "more than anyone to uphold the Constitution and obey the rule of law," deserves criticism for disregarding procedural requirements meant to prevent abuse of presidential power. The court also found Yoon guilty of convening only a few select Cabinet members to give the appearance of proper deliberation and of drafting a post hoc document related to the declaration to cover up procedural flaws. "When convening a Cabinet meeting, a notice should be given to all members," the court said, adding that notifying only some members infringes on their rights. The court also dismissed Yoon's argument that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out government corruption, lacks jurisdiction over charges of insurrection and abuse of power. Thursday's verdict came about 145 days after the first hearing in the case was held in August last year. 2026-01-16 15:44:40
  • Drug case involving Namyang Dairy heiress transferred to prosecutors
    Drug case involving Namyang Dairy heiress transferred to prosecutors SEOUL, January 2 (AJP) - A case involving Hwang Ha-na, the granddaughter of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products was transferred to prosecutors over drug-related allegations on Friday. According to police in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Hwang, 37, who was arrested last week after fleeing abroad is currently being questioned. The recidivist is suspected of having used methamphetamine again with two acquaintances in southern Seoul in 2023. Hwang reportedly fled to Thailand shortly after learning that she was the target of a police investigation in December 2023 and is believed to have lived in Cambodia after entering the country illegally with an invalid passport. She recently indicated that she would turn herself in, prompting officers to travel to Phnom Penh on Christmas Eve to arrest her, but she is reportedly denying all the allegations. However, some paparazzi media have raised suspicions that she was involved in drug distribution or sex trafficking while on the run. Hwang, who previously drew public attention for her relationship with singer-turned-actor Park Yoo-chun, was convicted of using methamphetamine three times between May and September 2015 at her home in Seoul and elsewhere and received a suspended prison sentence in 2019. The following year, she was again convicted on drug-related charges and received a harsher sentence of 20 months in prison. 2026-01-02 16:14:30
  • Over 25,000 ethnic Koreans regain legal status after overstaying visas
    Over 25,000 ethnic Koreans regain legal status after overstaying visas SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - More than 25,000 ethnic Koreans who had overstayed their visas here have regained their legal status, the Justice Ministry said on Tuesday. According to the ministry, about 2,522 ethnic Koreans applied for a three-month program implemented between September and November as part of immigration policies to recover their legal status. Of those applicants, 1,544 were granted legal status after undergoing strict screening conducted by legal experts and human rights activists to ensure fairness and transparency in the process. Through the screening process, applicants were assessed for health risks such as infectious diseases and drug use, financial obligations including unpaid taxes and fines, and legal compliance, including criminal records and other offenses. Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said, "The special program will help them integrate into South Korean society," adding that the ministry will continue to pursue immigration policies that promote national development and social integration. 2025-12-30 14:23:30