YOON&YANG
Keun Ho Kim Partner
김근호 변호사.jpg
  • TEL 82 2 6182 8542
  • FAX 82 2 6003 7015
  • E-MAIL
Keun Ho Kim is a partner at Yoon & Yang LLC, and his main areas of expertise include regulatory compliance and administrative litigation, public procurement and government contracts, defense industry matters, and legislative consulting.

Mr. Kim gained extensive hands-on experience in public administration while serving as an Administrative Officer and Legal Officer at central government agencies, including the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Ministry of Education. After retiring from public service, joined Yoon & Yang LLC, where he has been actively advising and representing major domestic and international corporations in a wide range of legal matters.

He has conducted in-depth research in administrative law through a doctoral program and currently serves as legal counsel to key government agencies, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

He successfully advised and represented leading defense contractors such as Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hanwha Ocean, LIG Nex1, and STX Engine, as well as other major Korean corporations, including Korean Air, Hanwha Life, DL E&C, SK Broadband, HiteJinro, and Sambu Construction.

Experience

  • 2018-present Yoon & Yang LLC
  • 2025-present Legal Advisor, Ministry of Economy and Finance
  • 2025-present Legal Advisor, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee
  • 2018-present Member, Korea Public Administration Case Study Association
  • 2021-23 Legal Advisor, Korea Western Power Co.,Ltd.
  • 2021-23 Legal Advisor, SR Co., Ltd.
  • 2018 Deputy Director, International Contract Division, Defense Acquisition Program Administration
  • 2016-18 Deputy Director, Legal Affairs and Litigation Office, Defense Acquisition Program Administration
  • 2015-16 Public-Service Advocate, Seoul Immigration Office
  • 2014-15 Public-Service Advocate, Changwon District Public Prosecutors’ Office
  • 2013-14 Public-Service Advocate, Ministry of Education

Education

  • 2025 Korea Productivity Center Advanced Executive Course in Defense Industry
  • 2024 Moneytoday Policy Academy Course
  • 2017 Korea University Graduate School (LL.D. course completion)
  • 2013 Pusan National University Law School, J.D.
  • 2009 Korea University PEL (Politics, Economics and Law) course
  • 2009 Korea University, B.A. in Political Science and International Relations

Qualifications

Admitted to bar, Korea (2013)

Representative Matters

[Key Success Cases]

  • Represented Hanwha Aerospace in preemptive defense against the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)'s proposed sanctions for disqualification — sanctions waived
  • Achieved a full victory for Hyundai Rotem in a damages lawsuit related to alleged violations of the Win-Win Cooperation Act
  • Successfully obtained injunctions on behalf of STX Engine to block the extension of disqualification sanctions across multiple agencies, including the Public Procurement Service (PPS), DAPA, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ)
  • Represented SK Broadband in preemptive defense against PPS’s sanctions — sanctions waived
  • Won a civil lawsuit for Hanwha Aerospace involving a DAPA defect warranty claim of KRW 37.3 billion — achieved a 96% success rate
  • Represented Hanwha Life in an administrative litigation challenging sanctions under the Insurance Business Act — prevailed on all key issues
  • Represented Hanwha Defense (former) in pre-litigation defense and civil litigation against DAPA’s liquidated damages claim — partial reduction achieved pre-litigation, full exemption granted at litigation stage
  • Represented listed AI company Lunit in preemptive defense against sanctions by the Military Manpower Administration — sanctions waived
  • Represented RH Focus in pre-sanction proceedings by DAPA — successfully reduced penalty to a fine
  • Represented the GTX-A line project operator in an administrative appeal against a local government’s denial of road and green space occupation permits — appeal upheld, mandatory implementation ordered
  • Represented KB Real Estate Trust in a landmark administrative litigation regarding the disposition of trust-held real estate within an industrial complex — obtained a favorable ruling
  • Represented HiteJinro in a lawsuit challenging corrective orders by food and drug authorities related to alleged exaggerated advertising — won the case
  • Represented Sambu Construction in an administrative lawsuit (party litigation) defending against a local government’s claim for compliance with attached conditions — victory achieved
  • Represented a Korean local public enterprise in an ICC arbitration related to a joint venture shareholder agreement with a Singaporean company — successful outcome (handled public law matters)
  • Represented Mapo Facilities Management Corporation in comprehensive legal actions against unauthorized occupants of public property — won eviction suit, preliminary injunction to suspend bidding, and suit for confirmation of illegal inaction
  • Represented a Korean Army general in a lawsuit to cancel a dismissal order issued by the Army Chief of Staff and a private university in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit — both cases won
  • Advised a Korean corporate executive on military service law violations related to dual citizenship — resulted in non-prosecution (deferred indictment)
  • Represented a Korean botulinum toxin manufacturer in pre-litigation defense and administrative litigation concerning product approval revocation — some revocation grounds excluded pre-litigation; obtained injunction and won merits case

 

[Key Advisory Achievements]

  • Advised the Board of Audit and Inspection, central administrative agencies, and local governments on administrative regulations, audits, and investigations
  • Provided legal advice on bidding and contracting in public procurement projects commissioned by the PPS and local governments
  • Advised multiple Korean defense contractors on defense industry regulations, including project execution, contracting, and cost-related systems
  • Advised various foreign defense companies on arms procurement negotiations, contracts, and compliance with Korean defense regulations
  • Provided legal consulting to the Saudi Arabian government regarding Korea’s defense industry regulatory framework
  • Advised corporations participating in government R&D projects on agreements and sanctions for non-compliance
  • Provided legal advice on Military Service Act, Nationality Act, and Immigration Control Act
  • Delivered general advisory services to central and local government agencies, public institutions, and various private sector entities
  • Advised IT startups, private educational institutions, and non-profit organizations on a wide range of legal matters
     

Awards

  • Ministerial Commendation, Defense Acquisition Defense Acquisition Program Administration (contribution to handling litigation affairs) (2017)

Languages

Korean and English