Yulchon launches Korea-U.S. Investment Support Center to target the $350 billion U.S.-bound investment market

[Financial News] Yulchon LLC has formed a dedicated team to address $350 billion in strategic investment in the United States. With large-scale investment projects between Korea and the U.S. getting underway in earnest, the firm expects demand for complex legal services—from regulatory matters and permits to investment agreements and trade policy—to grow as Korean companies expand into the U.S., and is taking a proactive approach.
Yulchon said on the 7th that it had launched the Korea-U.S. Investment Support Center to provide comprehensive advice on U.S.-bound investment to the government, public institutions, and Korean companies.
South Korea and the United States agreed last year, during tariff negotiations, on a total of $350 billion in strategic investment in the U.S. In June, the Special Act on the Operation and Management of Strategic Investments between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America took effect, and the Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation was launched, establishing an institutional foundation for carrying out the investments.
Yulchon expects that once investments move into the implementation stage, companies will need to address not only the U.S. federal government’s requirements but also state-by-state regulations and permitting, investment structure design, contracts, and changes in trade policy—all at the same time.
The center will handle legal and institutional reviews of U.S.-bound investment projects and investment structure design, as well as U.S. federal and state regulations and permitting, investment contract and project advice, strategies for responding to changes in Korea-U.S. trade and industrial policies, and the management of disputes and risks arising during the investment process.
Son Do-il, Yulchon’s managing partner in charge of management, was appointed head of the center. He will oversee its work, drawing on his experience in international legal work and global regulatory matters.
Attorney Son Geum-ju, a former member of the 20th National Assembly, will also serve as an adviser on strategic investment in the U.S. Drawing on his experience overseeing nuclear power projects, among other things, Son will provide strategic advice on Korea-U.S. industrial and trade policies.
Attorney Lee Yeong-sang, who previously served at the Ministry of Justice and as the Presidential Office’s secretary for international legal affairs, will support responses to international trade issues and foreign regulations, drawing on his experience with investment disputes and international cooperation. Foreign attorney Lee Tae-hyeok, who has built a career in cross-border transactions and the corporate and finance sectors, will provide legal advice to Korean companies on U.S. investments and the process of pursuing business locally.
Officials from the government and the diplomatic and trade sectors have also joined. Former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook, Ahn Wan-ki, a member of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Trade Advisory Committee, and Jo Gurae, former director-general for North American Affairs and head of the Planning and Coordination Office and the Diplomatic Strategy and Intelligence Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will serve as advisers.
The practical advisory team includes attorneys Shin Dong-chan, Ahn Jeong-hye, and Choi Yong-hwan of Yulchon’s Global Trade Center, as well as attorney Lee Gyeong-jun, head of the overseas construction team, among others. The firm plans to link its expertise in trade, investment, energy, and overseas construction to develop responses tailored to the nature of each project.
Yulchon plans to expand its support for U.S.-bound investment, including by holding joint seminars with relevant institutions and experts in South Korea and abroad, as well as tailored one-on-one seminars for individual companies.
“When U.S.-bound investments are turned into actual projects, it is important to respond based on a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. policy direction, regulatory environment, and local business conditions,” said managing partner Son Do-il. “We will provide practical support to help companies respond effectively to changes and turn investment opportunities into concrete projects.”
[email protected] Yoo Sun-jun Reporter