On the 31st, Law Firm YK recruited Professor Kim Hwa-jin from Seoul National University's School of Law. Professor Kim is a noted expert in corporate governance and ESG in Korea, now joining as an advisor.

김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]

Professor Kim, a pioneer in Korean corporate law, combines institutional design skills with consulting experience. He holds degrees from Seoul National University in Mathematics, a Master's from Harvard Law, and a Doctorate from the University of Munich. He has taught at Michigan, Stanford, Tel Aviv, and NYU, and published widely, including in Oxford and Cambridge journals. He is the Board Chairman at Samsung Securities and Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His books, like "Ownership and Management" and "Mergers and Acquisitions," are essential academic resources.

Kim has advised on policy and design, leading committees for the National Pension Service and the Korea ESG Standards Institute. At Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis, he focuses on board operations and internal control, ESG regulations, and shareholder protection. He was an outside director at HD Hyundai and contributed to the "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" project.

At a seminar on commercial law amendments, co-hosted by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association on the 11th, Kim discussed "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law," emphasizing capacity for ESG, shareholder protection, and legal adjustments.

Professor Kim will advise YK on shareholder dispute responses, damages lawsuits, shareholder protection in management sales, board operations, and corporate strategy development amid ESG regulations.

YK noted that Professor Kim's expertise is crucial as commercial law amendments and ESG regulations rise, expecting his academic and practical insights to guide corporate clients through institutional challenges.