On the 31st, Law Firm YK announced the appointment of Professor Kim Hwa-jin from Seoul National University School of Law as an advisor. Professor Kim is recognized as a prominent figure in corporate governance and ESG in South Korea.

김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]

Professor Kim is acknowledged as a pioneering scholar in the study of corporate law in South Korea, combining expertise in institutional design with corporate consulting. He holds a degree in Mathematics from Seoul National University, a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School, and a Doctorate in Law from the University of Munich. He has contributed internationally by teaching corporate governance courses at the University of Michigan, Stanford University, Tel Aviv University, and New York University, and has published works in journals from Oxford and Cambridge. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Board at Samsung Securities and a Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His works, "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010), have been recognized as significant academic resources by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea.

Professor Kim has engaged in institutional design and policy advising as the Chairman of the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee of the National Pension Service, the Chairman of the Voting Rights Committee of the Korea ESG Standards Institute, and a public director at the Korea Financial Investment Association. At Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis, he is currently working on board operations, internal control issues, ESG regulation responses, and the development of shareholder protection measures. His previous roles include outside director and Chairman of the ESG Committee at HD Hyundai, and he was part of the Hyundai Memorial Project Committee for the 20th anniversary of Asan Chung Ju-yung, culminating in the 2021 publication of "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" at Seoul National University.

During a seminar on commercial law amendments hosted by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association on the 11th, Professor Kim delivered a presentation titled "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law." He remarked on the alignment of ESG, shareholder protection, and law amendments, while questioning the current capacity to manage these changes.

At YK, Professor Kim is anticipated to provide specialized advice on matters such as resolving shareholder meeting disputes and damages lawsuits linked to commercial law amendments, examining protections for general shareholders during management rights transactions, enhancing board operations and internal controls, and advising on corporate strategies amid ESG institutionalization.

According to YK, the inclusion of Professor Kim, amid the rising prominence of commercial law amendments and ESG regulations, is significant for preparing corporate clients for institutional challenges. The firm expressed confidence that Professor Kim's blend of academic knowledge and practical experience will yield valuable guidance in corporate decision-making processes.