LIN NEWS
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LIN NewsLIN Professionals’ External Appointments for Q1 2025Recent external appointments of LIN’s professionals are as follows: Attorney Tae Eon Koo Appointed as a Steering Committee Member of the AI Innovation Committee of the Federation of Korean Industries Tae Eon Koo, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as a steering committee member of the AI Innovation Committee of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on March 25, 2025. The AI Innovation Committee was established with the goal of identifying policies for the innovation and widespread adoption of AI technology. Amid the rapidly evolving global competition for AI leadership, the committee is tasked with collecting opinions from the domestic industry and conveying them to the National Assembly and government. Koo will contribute to the operation of five subcommittees, including Policy, Talent & Infrastructure, Governance & Standards, and Future Growth, in order to further enhance the committee’s initiatives for substantive institutional improvements, and will do his best to create an ecosystem where companies can actively utilize AI to bolster competitiveness across the industry as a whole. Attorney Young Hoon Kim Appointed as an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Hanmi Science Co., Ltd. On March 26, 2025, Young Hoon Kim, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Hanmi Science Co., Ltd. As the holding company of Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group, Hanmi Science has enhanced the development potential of the Group based on the management philosophy of respecting human dignity and creating value, and has achieved continuous growth through collaborations with various global pharmaceutical companies. In addition, it has played an important role in supporting the Group's stable development of new drugs and expanding the Group’s strategic initiatives to become a truly global pharmaceutical company. As an independent director of Hanmi Science, Kim will work diligently during his term to help the company solidify its identity in new drug development and emerge as a global healthcare company. Attorney Eung Jun Jeon Appointed as a Member of the 2025 Working Group on Improving the AI Copyright System On March 19, 2025, Eung Jun Jeon, an attorney at LIN, was reappointed as a member of the 2025 Working Group on improving the AI Copyright System 2025 (March 19, 2025 to December 31, 2025). Over the past year, the Working Group has discussed various issues including the development of institutional improvements for using copyrighted works training data, whether and how to disclose AI-learned data, and the criteria for determining copyright infringement by AI outputs, all while striving to improve the relevant legal framework. Continuing his service from 2024, Jeon is dedicated to proactively developing institutional improvements that strike a balance between advancing the development of the AI industry and protecting creators' rights. Attorney Jong Sik Kim Appointed as an Independent Director of Asiana IDT Jong Sik Kim, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as an Independent Director of Asiana IDT on January 31, 2025. Asiana IDT is an IT services company that provides state-of-the-art IT solutions and services to help clients generate revenue and strengthen their competitiveness, leveraging its global network, differentiated technology, as well as top-tier professionals with accumulated project experience and know-how in various industries. As an Indipendent Director of Asiana IDT, Kim is committed to helping the company enhance its clients' business competitiveness with more differentiated technologies and services and contribute to creating a more convenient and prosperous society. Attorney Sung June Park Appointed as Legal Counsel to Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. On January 6, 2025, Sung June Park, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as Legal Counsel to Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. (KOMIPO) (January 24, 2025 to January 23, 2027). To deliver cleaner and healthier energy to the public, KOMIPO has upgraded its thermal power plants with world-class environmental equipment to operate safe facilities free from concerns about fine dust and environmental pollution, and has also taken the lead in promoting Korea's energy transition through the continuous development of various renewable energy sources. As Legal Counsel to KOMIPO, Park will leverage his expertise to help the company build upon its know-how and experience at the forefront of the energy industry, driven by innovative planning and a spirit of challenge, while continuing to a more prosperous and healthier life for the public. Attorney Seok Lee Appointed to the Steering Committee of the Gyeonggi-do Carbon Neutrality Support Center On March 25, 2025, Seok Lee, an attorney at LIN, was appointed as a member of the Gyeonggi-do Carbon Neutrality Support Center Steering Committee (January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026). The Steering Committee was established to deliberate on matters necessary for the management and operation of the Center in accordance with the “Guidelines for Designation and Operation of Carbon Neutrality Support Center” and to discuss efficient operational measures. Gyeonggi-do operates the Carbon Neutrality Support Center to build a foundation for carbon neutrality with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% from 2018 levels by 2030, and to support cooperation with the national and local governments for the efficient execution of its annual business plans. As a member of the steering committee, Lee will deliberate on the efficient management and operational strategies for the center to promote Gyeonggi-do's carbon neutrality and green growth initiatives, and will review the progress of the annual business plan and seek ways to improve it to the best of his ability. Chang Hwan Shin, US Attorney, Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Korea Copyright Protection Agency Chang Hwan Shin, a U.S. attorney at LIN, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Korea Copyright Protection Agency (KCOPA) on February 4, 2025. The KCOPA was established to support the formulation and enforcement of copyright protection policies, deliberate on matters related to copyright protection, and conduct projects necessary for copyright protection, thereby contributing to the enhancement and development of culture and related industries. As a director of the KCOPA, Shin will do his best to help the organization grow into a global organization specializing in copyright protection that builds a safe foundation for the cultural industry by fostering a healthy ecosystem and more firmly upholding the value of creativity. Advisor Se Yong Um, Appointed as a member of the National Assembly Legislative Support Committee (Political Affairs Division) On February 25, 2025, Se Yong Um, an advisor at LIN, was appointed as a member of the National Assembly's Legislative Support Committee, where he will serve in the Political Affairs Division for two years, focusing on the Capital Markets Act. The National Assembly Legislative Support Committee, composed of 166 members, provides legislative advice to lawmakers on matters, including drafting bills and reviewing administrative legislation. Having previously served as a member of the Capital Markets Act Enactment Task Force under the former Ministry of Finance and Economy and as a member of the National Assembly Legislative Support Committee (Finance and Economy Division), Dr. Um has been reappointed to the Committee (Political Affairs Division) and will provide key advisory services on the legislative process for capital markets. Kwang Min Nam, CPA, Appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee of Independent Directors of Hwaseung Industries, a KOSPI-listed Company On March 25, 2025, Kwang Min Nam, a CPA at LIN, was appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee of Independent Directors of Hwaseung Industries, a company listed on the KOSPI market. As a representative company of Hwaseung Group's sports fashion ODM and fine chemical businesses, Hwaseung Industries has enhanced the future value of human life based on its top-tier quality competitiveness and continuous innovation. Nam is committed to enhancing the rights and interests of shareholders by ensuring the company maximizes its group’s value through transparent and rational management. In addition, he will continue to work diligently to help the company continue to innovate and become a trusted company that realizes future value.2025.07.03
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News LetterMobility Legal Updates_[Regulation]The Lee Jae-myung administration has been promoting regulatory redesign and expanding governmental support to foster high-tech and high value-added industries in the land and transportation sectors. Among its presidential campaign pledges were the reexamination of autonomous driving regulations to lay the groundwork for real-world testing, as well as the establishment of a support system for pilot deployment and commercialization to accelerate the early deployment of cooperative autonomous driving technologies. In line with this policy direction, several new legislative bills have been proposed in the National Assembly to support the autonomous vehicle industry. This newsletter introduces and summarizes the key contents of the proposed legislation. 1. Special Act on Supporting the Development of the Autonomous Mobility Industry Ecosystem (Bill No. 10766, proposed by Rep. Lee Eon-joo and 9 others) A. Background and Purpose This bill was proposed on June 12, 2025, by Rep. Lee Eon-joo and nine other members of the National Assembly and was referred to the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee on June 13, 2025. In light of the concern that the lack of a strategic government support system across the entire industry—such as overlapping inter-ministerial regulations and insufficient infrastructure for data-based testing, evaluation, and certification—has hindered the development of a robust autonomous mobility ecosystem, this bill was proposed with the aim of establishing a comprehensive framework for the strategic promotion of the autonomous mobility industry. The key provisions are as follows: B. Mandatory Establishment of a Master Plan (Article 5) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy is required to establish and implement a master plan for the development and promotion of the autonomous mobility industry ecosystem every five years and to review its progress every two years. The plan must include the current state and future demand projections, strategies to promote technology development and commercialization, plans for autonomous mobility industrial zones, and initiatives to stabilize supply chains and promote localization. C. Establishment of the Autonomous Mobility Promotion Agency (Article 8) The bill proposes the establishment of a legal entity named the Autonomous Mobility Promotion Agency to carry out projects related to the autonomous mobility industry. The agency will support, inter alia, technology development, dissemination of technological achievements, international cooperation, and overseas expansion. Autonomous mobility service providers defined under the bill are required to submit data on the operation and testing of autonomous vehicles—including operational history, such as autonomous driving routes and driving distances; records of transitions between autonomous and manual driving modes; and information concerning system errors and abnormal events—to the agency (Article 13). D. Designation and Support for Core Components (Article 9) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may designate semiconductors, sensors, communication devices, software, platform technologies, and AI training datasets, etc. related to autonomous mobility as core components. Entities developing or producing such components may receive support for research, market entry, and streamlined administrative procedures. They may also qualify for tax benefits. E. Designation and Support for Industrial Zones (Article 10) The Minister may designate autonomous mobility industrial zones and, within such zones, may support the establishment and operation of infrastructure such as pilot testing centers and data centers related to autonomous mobility; provide financial and fiscal assistance to facilitate the industrialization of relevant technologies; implement measures to streamline or expedite administrative procedures; and promote the sharing and utilization of data related to autonomous mobility. 2. Act on the Road Operation, etc. of Autonomous Vehicles (Bill No. 11003, proposed by Rep. Yang Bu-nam and 11 others) A. Background and Purpose This bill was proposed on June 23, 2025, by Rep. Yang Bu-nam and 11 others and referred to the Public Administration and Security Committee on June 24, 2025. This bill aims to establish an institutional framework for shaping a road traffic environment conducive to the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles. The key provisions are as follow: B. Definitions of Full Autonomous Driving and Operational Design Domain (Article 2) This bill introduces new definitions for full autonomous driving and operational design domain. Specifically, full autonomous driving is defined as "operation in which all driving tasks—including steering, braking, and other control functions, as well as any necessary interventions in fallback scenarios—are performed entirely by the autonomous driving system, without a human driver, under all or limited traffic safety conditions." The operational design domain is defined as "the set of conditions—such as road, weather, time, and geographical features—under which the autonomous driving system can function normally and safely." C. Operation Permits (Article 10) Currently, fully autonomous vehicles that operate without a driver and carry only passengers cannot be formally operated on public roads because applicable safety standards under Article 29(1) of the Motor Vehicle Management Act have not yet been established. As a result, self-certification pursuant to Article 30(1) of the same Act is not feasible. Accordingly, such vehicles may only be operated within designated pilot operation zones upon receiving approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, as provided under Article 11 of the Autonomous Vehicles Act and Article 12 of the Regulation on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vehicles. However, under this bill, autonomous vehicles that have obtained conformity approval may be granted an operational permit by the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency. Since fully autonomous vehicles fall within the definition of “autonomous vehicles” under the bill, such operational permits may serve as a legal basis for expanding their use to general public roads. 3. Partial Amendment to the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation (Bill No. 10885, proposed by Representative Jang Cheol-min and 11 others) A. Background and Purpose This bill was proposed on June 17, 2025, by Representative Jang Cheol-min and 11 other members of the National Assembly, and was referred to the Strategy and Finance Committee on June 18, 2025. The purpose of the bill is to encourage investment in next-generation mobility by granting tax credits for investments in R&D facilities related to future mobility technologies, equivalent to the level of benefits currently provided for semiconductor-related investments. B. Tax Credit for Facility Investment in the Future Mobility Sector (Partial Amendment to Article 24 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation) Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that invest by December 31, 2029, in facilities for the commercialization of national strategic technologies in the future mobility sector, and national strategic technology research and development facilities in the future mobility sector —with the specific details to be prescribed by Presidential Decree— shall be entitled to a tax credit—deductible from corporate income tax for the relevant fiscal year—in the amount of: (i) 30% of the investment, for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); (ii) 25% of the investment, for companies that were previously classified as SMEs and invest within three fiscal years from the fiscal year in which they ceased to be so classified; and (iii) 20% of the investment, for all other companies. 4. Implications In line with the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, legislative efforts to foster the autonomous vehicle industry are expected to continue. Currently, the Act on the Promotion of and Support for the Commercialization of Autonomous Vehicles (the “Autonomous Vehicles Act”) provides the legal framework for the introduction, expansion, and safe operation of autonomous vehicles. However, as the existing law is primarily focused on the evaluation of safety and conformity and on regulatory aspects of the operational environment, the newly proposed legislative bills are expected to serve a complementary function by contributing to the development of the broader industrial ecosystem if enacted. If the Special Act on Supporting the Development of the Autonomous Mobility Industry Ecosystem is enacted, it would serve as a foundational legal basis for the establishment of basic plans and policy support specifically for the “autonomous mobility industry,” a concept not explicitly addressed in the existing Autonomous Vehicles Act. As such, the Special Act is anticipated to function as a framework statute for the formulation of autonomous vehicle policies and support measures. Meanwhile, the use of data for AI training in autonomous driving systems must comply with the Personal Information Protection Act. According to guidance issued by the Personal Information Protection Commission—such as the Guidelines on the Processing of Publicly Available Personal Information for AI Development and Services and the Guidelines on the Protection and Utilization of Personal Video Information Captured by Mobile Video Devices—the collection of personal video data using mobile video devices in public places for business purposes is, in principle, restricted. However, such collection is permitted if it falls under any of the subparagraphs of Article 15(1) of the Act (Article 25-2(1)(1)), and in the context of AI development and services, the “legitimate interest” under Article 15(1)(6)1 may serve as a valid legal basis. In this regard, the proposed Special Act provides that the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy may establish and implement policies to promote the collection, analysis, distribution, and use of autonomous mobility data, and is required to put in place the necessary institutional infrastructure to support such efforts (Article 14). Therefore, once the proposed Special Act is enacted and the relevant policy and institutional foundations are established, it is expected to more clearly legitimize the processing of data for AI training and services under the “legitimate interest” basis. Furthermore, as previously discussed, if the proposed Act on the Road Operation, etc. of Autonomous Vehicles is passed, it would provide a general legal basis for the operation of fully autonomous vehicles. Under the current regime, such vehicles may only operate with a temporary permit for testing purposes or within designated pilot operation zones under the Autonomous Vehicles Act. The proposed legislation would enable full autonomous vehicles to be lawfully operated on general public roads. Taken together, the legislative bills recently introduced to promote the autonomous vehicle industry, if enacted, are likely to have a significant impact on the advancement of the related industries. Accordingly, close attention should be paid to the legislative review and approval process going forward. 1. Where it is necessary for the legitimate interests of the personal data controller and such interests clearly override the rights of the data subject. This shall apply only when the legitimate interests of the controller are closely related to the processing purpose and do not go beyond a reasonable extent. *** LIN has extensive experience in providing advisory and litigation services in the mobility industry, particularly in areas such as administrative regulations and patent and trade secret disputes related to motor vehicles. Our Mobility Team consists of attorneys and experts with a distinctive interest and passion for automobiles. Should you wish to learn more about this newsletter or have any other inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our firm’s Mobility Team. 배태준 변호사 (tjbae@law-lin.com, 010-8237-8123) 강민구 변호사 (mgkang@law-lin.com, 010-3907-9217) 김호연 변호사 (hykim@law-lin.com, 02-3477-6300) 정한준 변호사 (hjjung@law-lin.com, 02-3477-8695) 오정필 변호사 (jpoh@law-lin.com, 02-3477-8695)2025.07.24
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NoticeLin Signs MOU with Korea New & Renewable Energy Association (KNREA)Mutual cooperation on new & renewable energy-related projects through legal services in the field of laws and regulations On October 26, Lin signed an MOU with KNREA to promote the development of the domestic new & renewable energy industry. The agreement was signed to provide various legal services to KNREA and its member companies, including information on new & renewable energy-related laws and regulations. Through the agreement, the two parties agreed to cooperate on ▶ improving new & renewable energy-related laws and systems ▶ providing legal advice on new & renewable energy ▶ and training on new & renewable energy. In line with the trend of carbon neutrality, Lin will exert its best to promote the sustainable development of the renewable energy industry, which can replace conventional energy using fossil fuels and nuclear power. For more information, please visit KNREA website below. http://www.knrea.or.kr/bbs/?act=bbs&subAct=view&bid=agreement&page=1&order_type=desc&seq=58282023.11.10
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Recruitment PersonnelNew RecruitmentsWe are pleased to welcome Jung Bong Lee (Partner), Lance B. Lee (Foreign Legal Consultant - Partner), and Ki Suk Seol (Of Counsel) as new members of our Firm. 1. Jeong Bong Lee, Partner - Incheon Songdo High School(68th) - Yonsei University, Department of Law - Chungnam National University, School of Law - Korean Bar Examination (40th, 1998) - Judicial Research and Training Institute (27th) - University of Vienna – Criminal Justice Institute Visiting Scholar (2008) Past) Incheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2001) Past) Daejeon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Hongseong Branch – Prosecutor (2003) Past) Incheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Bucheon Branch – Prosecutor (2005) Past) Seoul Central District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2007) Past) Supreme Prosecutors’ Office - Prosecutor Researcher (2007) Past) Busan District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2013) Past) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - Head of Strategic Analytics (2014) Past) Chuncheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Gangneung Branch – Chief Prosecutor (2016) Past) Daegu District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Seobu Branch – Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 3 (2017) Past) Seoul Eastern District Public Prosecutors’ Office - Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 5 (2018) Past) Seoul Southern District Public Prosecutors’ Office - Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 2 (2019) Past) Supreme Prosecutors’ Office – Human Rights Policy Officer (2020) Past) Gwangju District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Human Rights Protection Officer (2021) Past) Chuncheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Chief of Wonju Branch (2022) Past) Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office (Daegu District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Secondment(2023), Voluntary Resignation) Current) LIN Since his appointment as a prosecutor in 2001, Mr. Lee has served as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, a researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, a prosecutor at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, a secondee at the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a deputy prosecutor at the Seoul Eastern and Southern District Prosecutors' Offices, and a human rights policy officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, before finally retiring in 2023 as the Chief Prosecutor of the Wonju District Prosecutors' Office. During his 22 years and 8 months as a prosecutor, he discharged a wide range of cases, including intellectual property infringement, technology theft and unfair competition, medical malpractice, sexual assault, finance, taxation, homicide, special crime, public security, and human rights policy (due process compliance in investigations). Mr. Lee, who joined Lin as a partner in November 2023, plans to actively engage in various cases such as securities, finance, and corporate anti-corruption based on diverse investigative and theoretical experience accumulated from the prosecution. Lin boasts top domestic experts in responding to financial, corporate crimes, and other investigative matters, and we will strive to provide our clients with high-quality legal services. 2. Lance B. Lee, Foreign Legal Consultant (Partner) - Boston College Law School – J.D. - University of Virginia – B.A. Past) Dentons Lee - Chief Operating Officer, Head of International Arbitration & Litigation and Partner, 2012-2023 Past) Kim & Chang - Partner Past) STX Shipbuilding Corporation – Group General Counsel Past) POSCO – Overseas Projects Team Leader Past) U.S. Army JAG Corps – Trial Counsel, Prosecutor and Captain Past) Gainer, Rient & Hotis - Attorney Current) LIN – Head of International Arbitration & Litigation, Partner (Present) Mr. Lee, a U.S. attorney, was responsible for various international arbitration and litigation cases for 11 years at Kim & Chang, representing numerous international corporations and diverse fields. Serving as General Counsel at STX Shipbuilding Corporation and Head of the International Legal Team at POSCO, he handled tasks such as international arbitration, international litigation, IP, corporate M&A, contract negotiations, and joint investments for global conglomerates. Subsequently, as a partner at the Seoul Office of Dentons, he worked for 11 years as the Head of the International Arbitration/Litigation Team, leading numerous international arbitration cases as lead counsel. In 2024, for the first time in history, more than half of the global population will be holding elections, signaling the end of America’s “unilateral hegemony” and prompting the world to prepare for more disputes. With major industrial powers intensifying their industrial policies and protectionist measures to secure leadership in advanced and eco-friendly industries post-election, there is an anticipated increase in international disputes, particularly in advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors and information technology (IT). Mr. Lee, a foreign attorney leading the International Arbitration/Litigation Team, will leverage his experience and expertise to actively discharge legal advice on the prevention and resolution of international disputes for various global corporations based on his accumulated knowledge and professionalism. 3. Ki Suk Seol, Of Counsel - Hongik University, Department of Architecture - Kyungpook National University, Graduate School of Law, - KAIST, Intellectual Property Graduate School - Bar Examination (3rd) Past) Eland Group, Legal Department Past) Hyundai Engineering, Legal Department Past) Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Officer Past) Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Secretary Current) LIN Mr. Seol, as an in-house counsel for a large corporation, has accumulated expertise in a wide range of legal affairs that can arise within the company, including civil and criminal litigation and consultation, fair trade practices, compliance, intellectual property, construction, and labor-related dispute management. Subsequently, serving as a Legal Affairs Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, he handled administrative adjudication and litigation, legislation drafting and revision, interpretation of laws and rights, review of government and legislative bills, formulation of legislative strategies, improvement of attorney and notary systems, and enhancement of legal technology systems. Through these roles, he has built expertise in planning, administration, and legislation. Amidst the ongoing challenges such as the increase in unsold and unoccupied properties, rising construction costs, high interest rates, and stagnation in real estate PF, it is anticipated that legal disputes and litigation among real estate market participants, including developers, contractors, financial institutions, trustees, and local housing associations, will continue to rise. Mr. Seol, who has served as an in-house counsel for a global integrated construction company, has handled a wide range of cases from civil and criminal matters to fair trade, construction, labor, and compliance issues, from the client's perspective, collaborating with various major law firms. Drawing upon his extensive practical experience accumulated in the field, he is committed to providing tailored solutions, not only advisory services but also litigation support, to corporate clients. 4. Recruitment of Foreign Lawyer With recent concerns over deflation in China, attitudes of Korean companies towards China have become notably cautious. Consequently, there is a growing need for professional advice regarding entry into the Chinese market. Recognizing this demand, Lin has recently recruited Ms. Wenpu Yang (Chinese attorney), aiming to provide high-quality legal service that aligns with our clients’ business strategies and management objectives on various issues related to Sino-Korean business relations. Going forward, Lin promises to continuously recruit verified talents in various fields to ensure customer satisfaction.2024.02.05