On the 31st, Law Firm YK revealed it has enlisted the expertise of Professor Kim Hwa-jin from Seoul National University School of Law. Renowned as a leading expert in the realms of corporate governance and ESG in South Korea, Professor Kim joins as an advisor.
김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]
Professor Kim is recognized as a pioneer in the study of corporate law within Korea. He combines a deep understanding of institutional frameworks with practical corporate consultancy experience. 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, Germany. Professor Kim has engaged extensively with the global academic community, teaching corporate governance at the University of Michigan, Stanford University, Tel Aviv University, and New York University, and has published research in prestigious journals such as those by Oxford and Cambridge. Additionally, he chairs the Board at Samsung Securities and holds the role of Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His scholarly works, like "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010), have been lauded by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea and serve as essential resources in governance studies.
Professor Kim's contributions extend to institutional design and policy advising, having led the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee of the National Pension Service and the Voting Rights Committee of the Korea ESG Standards Institute, and acting as a public director for the Korea Financial Investment Association. Currently, he addresses critical concerns such as board management and internal controls, ESG regulation adaptation, and shareholder protection strategies at Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis. His previous roles include outside director and ESG Committee Chairman at HD Hyundai and participation in the Hyundai Memorial Project Committee commemorating the 20th anniversary of Asan Chung Ju-yung, culminating in the publication "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" (2021) at Seoul National University, which garnered significant interest.
During a seminar on the amendments to commercial law, co-organized by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association on the 11th, Professor Kim discussed "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law." He suggested that while concepts like ESG, shareholder protection, and commercial law amendments are apt, it is crucial to assess whether there is the capability to implement these effectively.
At YK, Professor Kim is anticipated to offer specialized guidance on matters such as handling disputes and damages litigation following changes in commercial law, examining protections for general shareholders during management transitions, refining board operations and internal controls, and crafting corporate strategies amid the evolving ESG regulatory landscape.
YK commented on Professor Kim's joining, stating that his involvement is particularly timely as commercial law amendments and ESG regulations gain prominence. This partnership is seen as crucial for preparing their corporate clients to navigate institutional challenges. They expressed optimism that Professor Kim, drawing on his academic and practical expertise, will deliver actionable insights into the corporate decision-making processes.