YOON&YANG

Keun Ho Kim Partner

TEL 82 2 6182 8542
FAX 82 2 6003 7015
E-MAIL kimkh@yoonyang.com

Keun Ho Kim is a partner at Yoon & Yang LLC, and his main areas of expertise are public contracts, the defense industry, legislative consulting, and administrative litigation.

Having worked for several years as a deputy director and public-service advocate at central administrative agencies such as the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Mr. Kim has accumulated a wide range of practical experience. After retiring from public service, Mr. Kim joined Yoon & Yang and has been involved in corporate advisory and litigation work. Mr. Kim also pursued a doctoral course in administrative law, which allowed him to conduct in-depth research on the theory of administrative law.

Based on his practical experience in the administrative field and theoretical knowledge, Mr. Kim possesses exceptional expertise in resolving various issues that arise between the government and businesses. Mr. Kim has successfully led multiple legal cases to favorable rulings, including high-profile cases that attracted media attention. Additionally, he has numerous instances where he proactively communicated with the government at all stages of litigation and resolved issues smoothly.

Currently, he is responsible for public contracts, the defense industry, aerospace, and cultural industries, and he also plays a key role in administrative litigation and legislative consulting.

Experience

2018-present Yoon & Yang LLC
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, Defense Acquisition Program Supervision 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

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

Representative Matters

[Key Success Cases]

Represented Hanwha Aerospace in preemptive response to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s sanction for improper conduct: Sanction exemption (administrative guidance)
Represented SK Broadband in preemptive response to the Public Procurement Service’s sanction for improper conduct: Sanction exemption (administrative guidance)
Represented STX Engine in applying for an injunction to block the expansion of sanctions for improper conduct (involving bids from the Public Procurement Service, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, etc.): All cases won
Represented the former Hanwha Defense in preemptive response to delay penalty imposition by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and civil litigation: Reduced penalty in the preemptive stage, and full exemption in the litigation stage
Represented Lunit, a listed AI-related company, in preemptive response to sanctions by the Military Manpower Administration: Sanction exemption (administrative guidance)
Represented the GTX-A line operator in an administrative appeal (mandatory enforcement appeal) regarding the local government’s refusal to permit road and green space usage: Won (enforcement ruling)
Represented HITEJINRO in a lawsuit to cancel a corrective order from food and drug authorities regarding exaggerated advertising: Won
Represented SAMBU Construction in defending an administrative lawsuit (party lawsuit) against a local government’s demand for compliance with a condition: Won (dismissal ruling)
Represented a domestic botulinum toxin manufacturer in preemptive response and related administrative litigation against the food and drug authorities’ cancellation of product approval: Excluded some reasons for cancellation in the preemptive stage, granted a stay of execution, and won the main case
Represented a major domestic trust company in a lawsuit to cancel a decision related to the disposal of trust real estate in an industrial complex: Won (first case of its kind)
Represented a conglomerate in the insurance sector in a lawsuit to cancel sanctions imposed by financial authorities: Won on all major issues
Represented a major defense industry corporation in a civil lawsuit (claim amount of 37.3 billion KRW) related to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s claims for defect compensation: Won (96%)
Represented in an ICC arbitration case regarding a joint venture agreement between a Korean local public corporation and a Singaporean company, handling administrative law matters: Won
Represented the Mapo-gu Facilities Management Corporation in comprehensive responses against a company occupying public property without authorization (including eviction claims, injunctions to suspend bidding procedures, and lawsuits to confirm unlawful inaction): Won all 3 cases
Represented an army general in a lawsuit to cancel the dismissal decision by the Chief of Staff of the Army and represented a private university in a lawsuit to confirm the invalidity of a dismissal: Won both cases
Provided advisory services and responded to investigations for the representative of a domestic company regarding dual nationality violations of the Military Service Act: Deferred prosecution

[Key Advisory Achievements]

Provided comprehensive advisory services on defense contracts, defense costs, and other defense industry-related matters for numerous domestic defense companies
Provided advisory services on arms system purchasing negotiations and contracts for several foreign defense companies
Provided advisory services to the Saudi Arabian government regarding domestic defense industry regulations
Provided advisory services on bidding and contracts for companies participating in public procurement projects issued by the Public Procurement Service and others
Provided advisory services on agreements and participation restrictions for companies involved in government R&D projects
Provided advisory services regarding audits and administrative investigations conducted by the Board of Audit and Inspection, central administrative agencies, and local governments
Provided advisory services on military service act, nationality act, and immigration act
Provided comprehensive advisory services to central administrative agencies, local governments, and public institutions
Provided advisory services to real estate prop-tech startup companies
Provided comprehensive advisory services to private schools
Provided comprehensive advisory services to non-profit organizations