YK Law Firm announced on the 31st the addition of Seoul National University's Professor Kim Hwa-jin, an expert in corporate governance and ESG, as an advisor.

김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]

Professor Kim, a pioneer in Korean corporate law, combines academic and practical expertise. He holds a mathematics degree from Seoul National University, a Master's in Law from Harvard, and a Doctorate from the University of Munich. He's taught at universities like Michigan, Stanford, Tel Aviv, and New York, and published in journals from Oxford and Cambridge. Presently, he chairs Samsung Securities and is a Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His books, such as "Ownership and Management" (2005) and "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), are notable governance texts.

He has advised on policy as Chairman for the National Pension Service's Governance Committee, Korea ESG Standards Institute's Voting Rights Committee, and served as a public director for the Korea Financial Investment Association. Currently, at Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis, he tackles board operations, ESG regulations, and shareholder protection. He also led the ESG Committee at HD Hyundai and published "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" (2021) at Seoul National University.

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

Professor Kim will advise YK on handling shareholder disputes, damage lawsuits post-law amendments, protecting general shareholders, enhancing board operations, and creating corporate strategies during ESG changes.

YK remarked, "Professor Kim's expertise at this critical time of legal and ESG adjustments is vital for guiding corporate clients through institutional challenges," adding that "his academic and practical insights will enhance corporate decision-making."