Kim & Chang Senior Managing Partner Kyoung-Seong Chung said that corporate clients must meticulously review multifaceted legal risks early in cross-border operations amid rising geopolitical uncertainties, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Kim & Chang Expands Specialized Groups and Uses AI Workflows
- Kim & Chang expanded specialized groups, including a new financial risk consulting center and global tax response center, to address complex regulatory demands.
- Generative artificial intelligence platforms like Harvey and Gemini Enterprise support legal workflows, but human legal expertise remains critical for final accuracy.
Geopolitical Risks Drive Integrated Legal and Commercial Strategies
External uncertainties, geopolitical friction, and tightening export controls are reshaping how corporations manage international business strategies. Speaking at the firm’s Jongno-gu office in Seoul, Chung told Yonhap News Agency that corporate clients now prioritize legal evaluations alongside commercial goals from the outset of any new project.
“External uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and strengthening economic sanctions and export controls are global factors that increasingly impact business. This is why our clients carefully review legal issues alongside commercial issues from the beginning of their operations.”
Customs disputes, trade barriers, and fragmented supply chains mean international expansion requires simultaneous evaluation across multiple regulatory frameworks. Chung said that verifying sanction lists, export permits, and local licensing demands requires comprehensive analysis rather than single-jurisdiction oversight.
Restructuring Specialist Centers at Kim & Chang
Founded in 1973, Kim & Chang initially grew by handling inbound foreign capital and technology integration for domestic banks and corporations. Chung joined the firm in 1976 as its first associate lawyer, observing five decades of evolution as South Korean enterprises expanded into overseas markets.
The former international tax research institute was expanded into the Global Tax Response Center, while internal compliance and anti-money laundering teams were merged to establish the Financial Risk Consulting Center with approximately 100 specialists.
| New or Expanded Entity | Core Operational Focus |
|---|---|
| Global Tax Response Center | International tax compliance and cross-border fiscal strategies |
| Financial Risk Consulting Center | Internal controls, anti-money laundering, and financial regulations |
| National Advanced Industry TF | Strategic advisory for high-tech domestic manufacturing sectors |
| Data Center Specialized Team | Regulatory and operational infrastructure compliance |
Additional task forces focusing on constitutional litigation, dual listings, and data center infrastructure were also established. Chung emphasized that pooling multidisciplinary expertise allows the firm to address complex, multi-jurisdictional assignments efficiently.
Attorneys Use AI Tools to Support Professional Judgment
As legal technology advances, Kim & Chang integrates generative artificial intelligence platforms such as Harvey and Gemini Enterprise alongside proprietary document translation systems. Chung explained that these tools handle repetitive, high-volume tasks to allow attorneys to focus on core legal analysis.
“The purpose of adopting AI is to support the professional judgment of lawyers and provide clients with more efficient legal services.”
Attorneys verify all AI-generated outputs against source documents to maintain accuracy and reliability. Mandatory compliance training regarding data privacy and information security ensures that junior lawyers utilize these technologies responsibly without substituting automated summaries for rigorous legal reasoning.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
