Yulchon has expanded its intellectual property capabilities with the addition of JongCheol Lee (L) and Mun Hui Kim as partners, in response to “Korea's rising IP disputes and the exponential growth of the entertainment sector fuelled by K-content.”

“By recruiting experts in e-discovery/compliance and media/entertainment, Yulchon aims to provide heightened legal expertise, addressing both domestic challenges and the expanding international landscape for Korean enterprises venturing abroad,” the firm said in a statement.

Lee most recently served as an executive vice president of Samsung Electronics. Before that, he held the position of senior vice president and chief officer of Samsung’s legal/compliance team, overseeing operations at the electronics giant’s North American headquarters.

“Our international clients will benefit from his extensive expertise and insights. He is truly a versatile professional, adept at handling a wide range of legal matters,” said Doil Son, head of Yulchon’s IP and technology practice.

Meanwhile, Kim specialises in the media and entertainment industry. She previously worked at Yulchon until 2015 and recently rejoined the firm after a stint at law firm Jipyong.

Kim provides advisory and litigation services across various segments of the entertainment industry, including global OTT platforms, leading domestic broadcasters, and IT companies.

“Looking ahead, Mun Hui is poised to provide high-quality legal services in response to the global success of K-contents. Leveraging her proficiency in the Chinese language, she aims to expand her advisory services to encompass the burgeoning entertainment markets in China and beyond,” Yulchon said in a statement.

Yulchon has also been aggressively expanding its disputes practice of late. The firm hired David MacArthur as practice co-leader recently. Yulchon also added new partners such as former Korean prosecutors Wook Jin Rha, Woo Young Choe and Sang Mook Kang, Lee, and former SK Biopharma GC Jooyup Chae.