On the 31st, Law Firm YK revealed the addition of Professor Kim Hwa-jin from Seoul National University School of Law to its team as an advisor. Professor Kim is renowned in Korea for his expertise in corporate governance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) matters. This suggests that Law Firm YK is keen on leveraging his profound knowledge to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]
Professor Kim is widely acknowledged as a pioneering figure in the domain of corporate law in Korea. His extensive background combines both theoretical framework development and practical consultation for corporations. After completing his mathematics degree at Seoul National University, he pursued a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School followed by a Doctorate in Law from the University of Munich, Germany. He is active in the global academic community, having taught corporate governance at prestigious universities including the University of Michigan, Stanford, Tel Aviv, and New York University. Furthermore, his scholarly articles have been featured in esteemed journals such as Oxford and Cambridge. Presently, he holds significant positions as Chairman of the Board at Samsung Securities and Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His influential publications like "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010) are recognized as essential resources in governance studies by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea.
His expertise extends into institutional framework and policy advising, evidenced by his roles as Chairman of the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee for the National Pension Service and Chairman of the Voting Rights Committee at the Korea ESG Standards Institute. He has also served as a public director of the Korea Financial Investment Association. His current focus areas include refining board operations, enhancing internal controls, responding to ESG regulations, and creating shareholder protection strategies at Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis. Additionally, he played a pivotal role as an outside director and ESG Committee Chairman at HD Hyundai and contributed to the Hyundai Memorial Project Committee, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Asan Chung Ju-yung with the publication "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" (2021) at Seoul National University, which was highly acclaimed.
During a seminar on commercial law amendments organized on the 11th by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association, Professor Kim addressed the topic "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law." He highlighted that while the directions in ESG, shareholder protection, and commercial law amendments are promising, it is crucial to assess whether there is sufficient capacity to implement these changes effectively.
Within YK, Professor Kim is anticipated to offer detailed guidance on various challenges, such as managing shareholder meeting conflicts and damage claims in light of commercial law revisions. His responsibilities also include assessing shareholder protection during corporate control transitions, refining board governance and internal systems, and formulating corporate strategies amidst the ESG institutionalization phase.
YK has remarked that the inclusion of Professor Kim at a juncture when changes in commercial law and ESG regulations are gaining importance is vital for addressing the complex institutional challenges faced by their corporate clientele. The firm anticipates that his blend of academic insights and practical experience will significantly enhance the decision-making processes within corporations.